Panelboards vs Switchboards
- Thread starter mull982
- Start date
- Status
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
There really aren't any.
From Siemens
While panelboards and switchboards both perform power
control and circuit protection functions, there are key
differences between these systems. For example, a panelboard
must be mounted in or against a wall; whereas, some
switchboards must be installed away from a wall to allow
access to the rear of the unit for installation and maintenance
purposes.
Perhaps the key difference, however, is the amount of power
controlled by each type of system. In general, switchboards
can be configured to include larger circuit breakers or switches
so that they can handle greater amounts of current. This also
means that switchboards may be more complex and can
incorporate a broader range of devices.
They are UL listed under separate categories, and there are other, more technical differences.
While panelboards and switchboards both perform power
control and circuit protection functions, there are key
differences between these systems. For example, a panelboard
must be mounted in or against a wall; whereas, some
switchboards must be installed away from a wall to allow
access to the rear of the unit for installation and maintenance
purposes.
Perhaps the key difference, however, is the amount of power
controlled by each type of system. In general, switchboards
can be configured to include larger circuit breakers or switches
so that they can handle greater amounts of current. This also
means that switchboards may be more complex and can
incorporate a broader range of devices.
They are UL listed under separate categories, and there are other, more technical differences.
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
If one would go to Squared.com and use search: define switchgear; heres some answers one will find as to how they build them.
Square D? brand equipment manufactured by Schneider Electric is
designed, built, and tested to comply with industry standards, including the
following ANSI and UL standards:
? C37.20.1, IEEE Standard for Metal-Enclosed Low-Voltage Power Circuit
Breaker Switchgear
? UL1558, Metal-Enclosed Low-Voltage Power Circuit Breaker Switchgear
? C37.20.2, IEEE Standard for Metal-Clad Switchgear
? C37.20.3, IEEE Standard for Metal-Enclosed Interrupter Switchgear
? UL 845, Motor Control Centers
? UL 891, Switchboards
? 2008?2009 Schneider Electric All Rights Reserved
Square D? brand equipment manufactured by Schneider Electric is
designed, built, and tested to comply with industry standards, including the
following ANSI and UL standards:
? C37.20.1, IEEE Standard for Metal-Enclosed Low-Voltage Power Circuit
Breaker Switchgear
? UL1558, Metal-Enclosed Low-Voltage Power Circuit Breaker Switchgear
? C37.20.2, IEEE Standard for Metal-Clad Switchgear
? C37.20.3, IEEE Standard for Metal-Enclosed Interrupter Switchgear
? UL 845, Motor Control Centers
? UL 891, Switchboards
? 2008?2009 Schneider Electric All Rights Reserved
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
The OP was about switchboards and panelboards.
There is definitely a major difference between switchgear and panelboards.
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
Well, which is it now ?
I said:
The OP should go to their desired manufactures web site and search with the subject matter like these from the same site.
panel construction
or
switchboard construction
Use another second term after P or S to see if one can get a better more precise answer.
I did and didn't expect to put a clean layman's answer on it. Everyone interests levels would really vary as to what they really need to know verses what they might want to know, or even care to know. The information or answer is no really a forum type answererable question with all things considered, I'll assume thats your point of excitement.
- Location
- Massachusetts
I think the differences often blur, here is a switchgear full of panelboards.
- Location
- Wisconsin
- Occupation
- PE (Retired) - Power Systems
The OP asked about panels vs switchboards, not switchgear. I agreed with the OP that there is not much difference other than physical size and ampacity. It is kind of like asking the difference between a boat and a ship.
Many people improperly interchange the terms switchboard(s) and switchgear even though they usually have little in common. Switchgear is defined by ANSI standards, which have now been co-opted(?) by UL. Switchboards are built to NEMA standards and UL891.
cadpoint
Senior Member
- Location
- Durham, NC
Missed that one little technical aspect, I did...
Sorry to the OP for the Distraction! Thanks Mr. Dungar!
-----------------------------------------------------------
On another note!
A boat doesn't usually go to sea for extended periods and for conversation is limited to 100' and also tonnage.
A ship is sea worthy and is quiet able to venture into the sea for an extended period of time.
In M-W.com; Boat it will mention Ship in definition and in synonyms; while Ship will mention Boat in definition, and not in synonyms, I can see the confussion there.
Origin of YACHT
obsolete Dutch jaght, from Middle Low German jacht, short for jachtschip,
literally, hunting ship
First Known Use: 1557
Yachts are still to this day for Land Sharks
Sorry to the OP for the Distraction! Thanks Mr. Dungar!
-----------------------------------------------------------
On another note!
A boat doesn't usually go to sea for extended periods and for conversation is limited to 100' and also tonnage.
A ship is sea worthy and is quiet able to venture into the sea for an extended period of time.
In M-W.com; Boat it will mention Ship in definition and in synonyms; while Ship will mention Boat in definition, and not in synonyms, I can see the confussion there.
Origin of YACHT
obsolete Dutch jaght, from Middle Low German jacht, short for jachtschip,
literally, hunting ship
First Known Use: 1557
Yachts are still to this day for Land Sharks
Last edited:
Boats fit on ships
Boats fit on ships
If it can be carried by a ship it's a boat.
Boats fit on ships
Missed that one little technical aspect, I did...
Sorry to the OP for the Distraction! Thanks Mr. Dungar!
-----------------------------------------------------------
On another note!
A boat doesn't usually go to sea for extended periods and for conversation is limited to 100' and also tonnage.
A ship is sea worthy and is quiet able to venture into the sea for an extended period of time.
In M-W.com; Boat it will mention Ship in definition and in synonyms; while Ship will mention Boat in definition, and not in synonyms, I can see the confussion there.
Origin of YACHT
obsolete Dutch jaght, from Middle Low German jacht, short for jachtschip,
literally, hunting ship
First Known Use: 1557
Yachts are still to this day for Land Sharks
If it can be carried by a ship it's a boat.
- Location
- San Francisco Bay Area, CA, USA
- Occupation
- Electrical Engineer
So a panelboard on a boat is essentially the same as a switchboard on a ship, other than the size. You can technically then have a ship with a switchboard, carrying a boat that has a panelboard, and vice versa.
:roll:
Back to the original issues though; in most product lines, the largest panelboards are exactly the same structures as the switchboards, the only differences lie in the bus arrangements because switchboards are set up to accept branch fused switches and/or circuit breakers, panelboards are set up to accept mainly just branch circuit breakers (although sometimes you can get fused mains).
:roll:
Back to the original issues though; in most product lines, the largest panelboards are exactly the same structures as the switchboards, the only differences lie in the bus arrangements because switchboards are set up to accept branch fused switches and/or circuit breakers, panelboards are set up to accept mainly just branch circuit breakers (although sometimes you can get fused mains).
zog
Senior Member
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
zog
Senior Member
- Location
- Charlotte, NC
I would call those switchboards, or panelboards but not switchgear.
- Status