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Views: 0 Author: Site Editor Publish Time: 2025-09-23 Origin: Site
Substations power entire cities, yet fitting them into tight spots while keeping costs down and uptime high proves tricky. Budgets stretch thin—engineers juggle $500,000 projects where overruns hit 20%. Space crunches in urban zones leave no room for sprawl. Reliability falters if gear fails, blacking out blocks for hours. These headaches stem from picking the wrong high voltage switchgear. Two paths emerge: AIS, the open-air workhorse, and GIS, the sealed powerhouse. This article will go from the basics to choosing the right solution for your substation needs and explain why choosing a reliable electrical switchgear manufacturing company is crucial.
High voltage switchgear controls and protects power flows up to 12kV or more. It interrupts faults, isolates sections, and handles loads without drama. But designs differ sharply. AIS relies on air for insulation; GIS uses gas. Grasping these sets the stage for smart buys in electrical switchgear. AIS, which appeared as early as the early 1950s, is large but easy to operate. GIS devices came later, and their footprint has shrunk as cities have grown. Both serve substations, but one is suitable for factories, while the other is for high-rise buildings.
Imagine GIS like a submarine in a substation—sealed tightly and protected from the elements. It packs components into SF6 gas-filled enclosures, insulating at pressures around 0.045 MPa. This setup shrinks sizes by 70% over air types, ideal for cramped urban spots. Components like breakers and busbars sit inches apart, not feet.
In practice, GIS handles 12kV three-phase systems with ease, breaking 630A loads. Arc quenching happens fast in the gas, cutting downtime to seconds. SHENGTE’s XGN15-12 model exemplifies this: epoxy-sealed barrels keep leaks rare, under 1% annually. Yet, SF6’s greenhouse tag draws scrutiny—some sites phase it out by 2030. Still, for indoor hubs, it shines.
AIS feels like an open garage for power gear. Air gaps insulate porcelain-clad parts, exposed to breezes and rain. Spans reach 210mm between phases, demanding yards of space. It’s the go-to for rural grids, where land costs pennies. The assembly process is relatively complex: the busbars are connected via disconnectors and withstand a 25kA short circuit for four seconds. Annual maintenance is required to check the insulators for cracks—repairing a single leakage current can cost $10,000.
Side-by-side views reveal why one suits a downtown feed, the other a remote plant. Factors span footprints to upkeep. GIS edges in density; AIS in upfront dollars. Real projects mix both—hybrids save 15% sometimes. Here's the breakdown.
GIS wins in terms of space—critical in an area where land costs can reach $1 million per acre. Its seals resist contamination, unlike AIS, which is prone to cracking in salty air, resulting in 30% fewer maintenance calls. GIS also reduces costs in the long term by reducing downtime. AIS’s low upfront cost makes it ideal for oil fields with tight budgets. However, neither is perfect—a GIS’s gas refills can cost $2,000 every ten years; and AIS can also be vulnerable to unexpected events like birds or storms.
Choosing electrical switchgear ultimately depends on site characteristics and goals. Urban crush favors one; vast fields another. Therefore, you need to consider your project's timeline. As an electrical switchgear manufacturer, SHENGTE can provide tailored advice. Let’s explore the optimal installation environments for GIS and AIS.
l Ideal Scenarios for Choosing GIS: GIS thrives where space bites and reliability rules. City centers pack it in, fitting 12kV bays into basements. Indoor or underground spots dodge weather—think subway feeds holding 99.99% uptime. GIS is well-suited for harsh environments, as coastal salt or desert dust can accelerate the corrosion of AIS by 40%. SHENGTE’s SF6 switchgear fits here: metal-enclosed AC units for ring nets, breaking 630A loops without fuss.
l Ideal Scenarios for Choosing AIS: AIS easily meets a variety of challenges. A remote power station sprawled haphazardly, connected to three-phase transformers covering acres. Got a $200,000 budget? Air gaps can meet the need without the added expense of gas. SF6-sensitive areas (European green environmental regulations) avoid gas use, making AIS the best choice. Next best are well-ventilated farms or open-air mine sites, where vents can effectively reduce temperature differences by 50°C.
The choice depends on these compatibility factors. But execution is crucial—who will build it? That’s where a trusted team comes in.
Exposed gear spells trouble—stray arcs zap workers, as in that 2018 plant fire costing $1.2 million. Public paths near substations amplify risks; fences fail against kids or vandals. SHENGTE counters with enclosures that lock hazards away, slashing incidents by 90%.
As a switchgear manufacturing company, SHENGTE blends AIS openness with GIS seals in hybrids. Their high voltage switchgear hits 12kV ratings, with 25kA shorts held four seconds. Frames bend from A3 steel, rust-proof for 25 years. Expansions snap in—three units form rings, scaling to 10-bay terminals.
Safety layers thick: interlocks block ungrounded opens; pressure vents shunt blasts outward. Fuse impacts trip loads at 125A max, grounding cables firm. Observation windows let checks without doors ajar. For AC metal enclosed switchgear, their XGN15-12 stands out—SF6-filled, epoxy-poured for zero leaks.
Customization runs deep. Add CTI mechanisms for 2000-cycle lives; bolt on relays for protections. SHENGTE's Guangdong plant ships in 10-15 days, MOQ one piece.
AIS and GIS each have their advantages. In the world of electrical switchgear, adaptability is crucial. Air suits sprawl and savings; gas packs punch in pinches. Therefore, only by aligning your substation’s project space, funding, and risk profile can it thrive.
SHENGTE’s XGN15-12 SF6 switchgear is a high-quality, compact AC metal-enclosed switchgear suitable for urban ring networks. As a top electrical switchgear manufacturer, we consistently deliver reliable products for our customers, from three-phase transformer connectors to complete cabinets. Still unsure about your construction? SHENGTE offers free consultations to size your high-voltage switchgear according to your specifications. Contact us at juanie@shengtetransformer.com today for a tailored path forward!
