Low Voltage Switchgear
Selection Guide
GangHeng manufactures indoor low voltage switchgear across two structural families - fixed-type and drawout-type - for 380V and 660V AC 50/60Hz distribution systems, up to 4000A. This guide helps engineers, EPC contractors, and procurement teams identify the right low voltage switchgear series for their project before reviewing full technical specifications on each model's product page.
How To Use This Selection Guide
1. Confirm your system voltage and current requirements
Determine whether your project operates at 380V or 660V, and calculate your required busbar rated current based on connected load.
2. Choose your structural type
Decide between fixed-type or drawout-type configuration based on maintenance requirements and how critical continuous power supply is to your operation.
3. Identify your application role
Determine whether the panel functions as incoming/distribution switchgear, a motor control center (MCC), or a final branch distribution point - this narrows the series selection considerably.
4. Check short-circuit withstand requirements
Confirm the prospective short-circuit current at your installation point against each series' rated short-time and peak withstand current.
5. Review the model's product page
Confirm overall dimensions, busbar arrangement, and technical parameters against your single-line diagram and switchboard schedule.
6. Contact our engineering team for non-standard requirements
Custom busbar ratings, circuit configurations, and panel quantities are available with no minimum order.
Types Of Low Voltage Switchgear By Structure
Fixed-Type
Suitable for power plants, substations, and industrial and mining enterprises operating on AC 50Hz, 380V systems where planned maintenance outages are acceptable.
A fixed-type distribution cabinet with all switching and protection apparatus permanently mounted and front-accessible. Available in three frame sizes (GGD1/GGD2/GGD3) rated up to 3150A, with short-circuit withstand up to 50kA/1s.
A fixed-type distribution cabinet for 380V three-phase three/four-wire systems, rated up to 630A, suited to power, lighting, and general distribution switching.
A 12kV indoor fixed switchgear cabinet built with a vacuum circuit breaker for three-phase AC 50Hz distribution.
Drawout-Type
Suitable for power plants, petrochemical, metallurgical, and textile facilities, and high-rise buildings where individual circuits must be maintained without de-energizing adjacent feeders.
No matter where your company is located,we can deliver,we have a variety of logistics options for you to choose from,flexible delivery.
In the first time you receive the product,we will have special technicians to contact you for installation,commissioning and other technical support.
All our products have warranty service,the motor warranty ten years,other accessories warranty two years,any problem we will try to solve for you!
Structure Type Comparison
|
Comparison |
Fixed-Type |
Drawout-Type |
|
Representative Models |
GGD, XL Series, GHD (XM/JX) |
GCS, GCK, MNS |
|
Maintenance Method |
Requires full panel de-energization for maintenance |
Functional unit withdraws to test/isolated position - no de-energization of adjacent circuits |
|
Best Suited For |
Standard distribution, cost-sensitive projects, branch/final circuits |
Continuous-process operations, motor control centers, high-automation facilities |
|
Relative Cost |
Lower |
Higher |
Selecting By Application Role
Main Circuit Scheme
|
Application Role |
Recommended Series |
Why |
|
Incoming / Main Distribution |
GGD, GCS, MNS |
Handles high busbar currents and short-circuit levels at the transformer secondary |
|
Motor Control Center (MCC) |
GCK, GCS (MCC/vertical busbar), MNS (MCC) |
Modular drawer units sized for individual motor feeders with interchangeable spares |
|
High-Automation / Computer-Interfaced Systems |
GCS |
Up to 32 auxiliary contact pairs per drawer for automation and process control integration |
|
International / IEC-Compliant Projects |
MNS |
Complies with IEC 60439 and VDE 0660 Part 5 in addition to Chinese national standards |
|
Branch / Final Circuit Distribution |
XL Series, GHD (XM/JX) |
Compact, cost-effective distribution for lighting and small power circuits ≤630A |
Key Technical Parameters To Check Before Ordering
01 - System Voltage & Rated Current
Confirm your system operates at 380V or 660V, and match the rated current (main busbar) to your project's connected and demand load.
01
02 - Short-Circuit Withstand Current
Verify the required short-time (kA/1s) and peak withstand current (kA) against your project's fault-level calculations - especially critical at the low voltage side of large transformers, where prospective fault currents can exceed 50kA.
02
03 - Structural Type
Confirm whether fixed-type or drawout-type is specified in your project documentation, based on maintenance philosophy and acceptable downtime.
03
04 - Drawer / Unit Configuration (Drawout Types Only)
For GCS/GCK/MNS, confirm the number and size of functional unit drawers required per motor or feeder circuit, and whether interchangeability with existing lineups is needed.
04
05 - Protection Class & Installation Environment
Check IP rating requirements (IP30/IP40/IP54) against dust, moisture, and installation environment conditions, and confirm foundation dimensions and cable entry requirements against the outline drawing.
05
Why Choose GangHeng High Voltage Switchgear
Five-Prevention Safety Interlocking
All series incorporate mechanical interlocking to prevent the five most common operational errors - critical for unmanned or partially staffed substations.
Vacuum and SF₆ Breaker Compatibility
Our 40.5kV series accepts both domestic vacuum circuit breakers and imported SF₆ breakers from Schneider and Alstom, reducing procurement complexity for international EPC projects.
CNC-Precision Manufacturing
Our Jiangshan, Zhejiang facility is equipped with CNC punching machines, CNC bending machines, laser cutting machines, and copper busbar bending machines for consistent dimensional accuracy.
Certified and Grid-Qualified
Products are certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, OHSAS 18001, and CQC standards. GangHeng is a qualified supplier to State Grid Corporation of China and has fulfilled contracts for China Railway Construction Corporation.
No Minimum Order Requirement
We accept orders starting from a single cabinet, with delivery timelines of 30–60 days depending on order value.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How do I decide between fixed-type and drawout-type low voltage switchgear?
A: The deciding factor is whether your operation can tolerate a planned outage on the affected circuit during maintenance. Fixed-type switchgear (GGD, XL Series) requires the panel to be de-energized for any work - acceptable for standard distribution and cost-sensitive projects where planned shutdowns are feasible. Drawout-type switchgear (GCS, GCK, MNS) allows a functional unit to be withdrawn to a test or isolated position without interrupting adjacent feeders - the standard choice for petrochemical, metallurgical, and other continuous-process facilities.
Q: What is the difference between GCS, GCK, and MNS drawout switchgear?
A: All three use the drawout principle but differ in structural design and application emphasis. GCS is built for high-automation environments: each drawer supports up to 32 auxiliary contact pairs for process control and computer interface integration. GCK is the standard PC/MCC cabinet for general industrial motor control. MNS adds three-compartment busbar isolation and is manufactured to IEC 60439 and VDE 0660 Part 5 - the preferred choice for projects requiring documented international compliance.
Q: What voltage and current levels does GangHeng low voltage switchgear cover?
A: Rated working voltages of 380V and 660V AC, with rated current from 63A (GHD branch distribution boxes) up to 4000A (GCS and MNS horizontal busbars). Short-circuit withstand ratings range from 15kA up to 80kA/1s (176kA peak).
Q: How does low voltage switchgear fit into the overall substation or distribution system - and where does high voltage switchgear take over?
A: In a typical distribution chain, high voltage switchgear (12kV or 40.5kV) receives power from the utility at medium voltage and controls the incoming feed to the transformer. The transformer steps voltage down to 380V, and low voltage switchgear - typically GGD, GCS, or MNS - distributes that output to downstream loads, motor control centers, and branch circuits. If your project requires equipment on both sides of the transformer, [GangHeng's high voltage switchgear range →] covers the 12kV and 40.5kV tiers from the same facility under the same quality system.
Q: Which low voltage switchgear series is right for a motor control center (MCC)?
A: GCK is the standard choice for general industrial MCC applications - modular drawer units sized per motor feeder, up to 3200A main busbar. GCS is preferred where the MCC also carries automation or process control wiring (up to 32 auxiliary contacts per drawer). MNS in MCC configuration adds three-compartment isolation and IEC 60439 compliance for international projects. All three support interchangeable drawer units for simplified spare parts management.
Q: Can GangHeng supply a customer-specified circuit configuration?
A: Yes. Provide your system voltage, rated current, number of panels, circuit configuration or single-line diagram, applicable standards, and any special environmental conditions. Our engineering team will respond with a technical proposal within 24 hours.
Request A Technical Proposal
Ready to move forward with your low voltage switchgear project? Share the following information and our engineering team will respond within 24 hours:
- System voltage and rated current
- Structural type preference (fixed or drawout)
- Number of panels / bays required
- Circuit configuration (single-line diagram if available)
- Applicable standards (GB/T, IEC, ANSI/IEEE, BS, etc.)
- Delivery location and required delivery date
Send Inquiry- Or contact us directly: zjgh2@ghswitchcabinet.com / WhatsApp +8615869060785