Difference Between Switchgear and Distribution Cabinet

In addition to different functions, installation environment, internal structure, controlled objects, etc., distribution boxes and switch cabinets are distinguished by different dimensions. The distribution box is small in size and can be hidden in the wall or stand on the ground. However, the switch cabinet is large in size and only installed in the substation and power distribution room.

A switch cabinet is a kind of electrical equipment. The outer line of the switch cabinet first enters the main control switch in the cabinet, and then enters the sub-control switch, and each branch is set according to its needs. Such as instrumentation, automatic control, motor magnetic switch, various AC contactors, etc., some also have high-voltage room and low-voltage room switch cabinets, high-voltage busbars, such as power plants, etc., and some also have low-cycle protection for main equipment Load shedding.
The main function of the switchgear is to open and close, control and protect electrical equipment during the process of power generation, transmission, distribution and electrical energy conversion in the power system. The components in the switch cabinet are mainly composed of circuit breakers, isolating switches, load switches, operating mechanisms, mutual inductors, and various protection devices. There are many classification methods for switchgear. For example, the installation method of circuit breaker can be divided into removable switchgear and fixed switchgear; or according to the different cabinet structure, it can be divided into open switchgear, metal-enclosed switchgear, and metal Enclosed armored switchgear; according to different voltage levels, it can be divided into high voltage switchgear, medium voltage switchgear and low voltage switchgear. It is mainly suitable for various occasions such as power plants, substations, petrochemicals, metallurgical steel rolling, light industry and textiles, factories and mining enterprises, residential quarters, and high-rise buildings.
The power distribution cabinet (box) is divided into power distribution cabinet (box), lighting distribution cabinet (box), and metering cabinet (box). It is the final equipment of the power distribution system. The power distribution cabinet is the general term for the motor control center. The power distribution cabinet is used in the occasions where the load is relatively dispersed and there are fewer circuits; the motor control center is used in the occasions where the load is concentrated and there are more circuits. They distribute the electric energy of a certain circuit of the upper-level power distribution equipment to the nearby load. This level of equipment should provide protection, monitoring and control of the load.
Respectively refers to the final equipment of the power distribution system such as sub-power distribution cabinets, lighting distribution cabinets, and metering cabinets.