Air-Insulated Switchgear

Connecting and protecting an evolving grid

ABB’s medium voltage switchgear (1 kV to 52 kV according to the IEC standards) are designed to connect and protect an evolving grid. Depending on the insulation medium that protect the energized components in the medium voltage switchgear, both primary and secondary medium voltage switchgear can be widely divided into: air-insulated and gas-insulated.

Air-insulated switchgear (AIS) offers a modular and flexible design that simplifies installation, use, and maintenance. It offers LSC2B/LSC2A/LSC2/LSC1, ensuring minimal service interruption and a high level of customization to meet global demanding requirements and can be typically found in all industries.

Whether customers choose air-insulated or gas-insulated switchgear depends on the application as well as on some aspects such as the initial investment cost, total cost of ownership, available space and location (ie. altitude, dust, etc.). We encourage you to get in touch with our sales experts to get the right advice.

UniSec

UniSec and UniSec Air provide robust control and protection, metering, monitoring, and diagnostics suitable for various applications.

Benefits:

  • Modular and flexible design streamlines installation, operation, and maintenance.
  • Compatibility between UniSec Air and UniSec enables seamless integration into existing systems.
  • Equipped with a comprehensive range of monitoring and diagnostic features.

Industries and applications:

  • Building
  • Transportation
  • Data centers
  • Distribution
  • Renewables
  • Infrastructure, light industries

UniGear

Air-insulated switchgear main product line for high demanding applications in primary power distribution.

Benefits:

  • Manufactured and supported on six continents
  • Safety interlock to avoid maloperation and fully arc-proof
  • Highly customized versions available Switchgear can be back to wall installed

Industries and applications:

  • Data centers, Utilities
  • Power Generation Stations
  • Off-shore platforms, Marine
  • Heavy and light industries, Infrastructure
  • Railways, Transport
  • Hospitals

For ANSI standards please click here

  *For more information on ABB’s medium voltage switchgear for China standards here.
**UG 550 has gone to classic by March 2025. Please contact us for more information.

AIS portfolio at a glance

  UniGear ZS1 UniGear ZS2 UniGear ZS3.2 UniGear MCC UniSec UniSec Air LeanGear ZS9 ZS8.4
Max. rated voltage 24 kV 36 kV 40.5 kV 12 kV up to 24 kV up to 24 kV 12 kV 24 kV
Max. rated continuous current (busbar) 4000 A 3150 A 3150 A
400 A (feeder)		 4000 A up to 1250 A up to 630 A, up to 1250 A with LSC2B frontal withdrawable circuit breaker panel 2000 A 1250 A 
Max. rated short-time withstand current 63 kA 31.5 kA 31.5 kA 50 kA up to 25 kA up to 20 kA, up to 25 A with LSC2B frontal withdrawable circuit breaker panel 25 kA 25 kA/3s 
Insulation medium Air Air Air Air Load-break switch (LBS) GSec with SF6 gas LBS and disconnector GSec Air with dry air Air Air
Busbar Single & Double Busbar, incl. double level Single Busbar Single Busbar Single Busbar     Single Busbar Single Busbar
Standards IEC, GB/ DL, GOST, Marine,(DNV, Lloyd, RIINA, BV, ABS) IEC IEC, GB/ DL, GOST IEC, GOST, GB, DL IEC, GB/DL IEC IEC, GB/DL IEC
Applications High demanding, incl. harsh applications such as marine, seismic and nuclear. Utilities, heavy industry, data centers, renewables, oil&gas, rail and transport, etc.  High demanding applications. Utilities, heavy industry, data centers, renewables, infrastructure High demanding applications. Utilities, renewables Chemical, Oil & Gas, heavy industry (mining, metals and minerals) and light industry (food & beverage) Building and Infrastructure, Industry and Transportation, Data Centers, Distribution and Renewable energy Building and Infrastructure, Industry and Transportation, Data Centers, Distribution and Renewable energy Mid to low demanding infrastructure, light industry, buildings, food and beverage, utilities Distribution network applications, Hospitals, Logistics Centers, Transport &  Railway, Thermal power stations, Water treatment facilities, Container applications

Related offering

ABB’s gas-insulated switchgear portfolio

Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) offers a more compact switchgear footprint (vs. air-insulated switchgear) consisting of high voltage components such as circuit-breakers, disconnectors, load interrupters and branch connection bars, and several also the busbars, enclosed in a metal gas tank – leading to very low maintenance requirements. GIS can be typically found in closed and challenging environments such as metro, mining, etc – where space is limited.

ABB’s SF6-free portfolio

The energy grid is undergoing a transformation as networks shift toward renewable energy sources. Decentralized generation and evolving energy storage solutions are increasing the complexity of grid management, making stability more challenging. ABB Electrification Distribution Solutions partners with businesses to navigate these changes by ensuring a reliable flow of electricity.

Service

We revolutionize service with our customers at the core of every decision. Through deep expertise, digital innovation, and AI, we ensure availability, reliability, predictability, and sustainability across every electrical asset.

Frequently Asked Questions

ABB‘s primary medium voltage switchgear products are designed to connect and protect the evolving grid. They feature robust construction, advanced safety mechanisms, high reliability, and ease of maintenance. They are designed to handle high electrical loads and provide efficient power distribution with minimal losses.

Our medium voltage switchgear products comply with international standards such as IEC 62271, GOST, GB/DL. They are also certified by leading industry bodies to ensure the highest levels of safety and performance. ABB also offers medium voltage switchgear products for ANSI standards. 

ABB provides comprehensive support services including installation, commissioning, and after-sales maintenance. Our team of experts ensures smooth deployment and ongoing support to maximize the performance and longevity of our switchgear products.

ABB’s switchgear smart solutions are designed to help our customers make data-driven decisions. Our customers can benefit from a wide range monitoring, diagnostic, automation and control features for their ABB’s air-insulated medium voltage switchgear. Contact our sales team to learn more about ABB’s smart solutions for each of our switchgear.

Air-insulated switchgear circuit breaker is typically removable or withdrawable. The circuit breaker is based on vacuum circuit technology. In the gas-insulated, it is fixed mounted. The function of withdraw is provided by a separate disconnecting switch. Typically, a three-position switch with connected, disconnected, and ready-to-earth position.

Gas-insulated switchgear requires very low maintenance as all high voltage parts are permanently protected in a gas tank from soiling, humidity, entry of foreign bodies and other environmental influences. Primary, the drives located outside gas compartment require inspection and maintenance. On the other hand, gas-insulated switchgear repair requires additional training (e.g. for gas works) and the replacement or parts may not be as easily. In the air-insulated switchgear visual inspection is recommended in regular intervals, maintenance of power parts is given in installation, operation and maintenance manual (1VLM000363).