Transformers, substations + the grid: Products + services
Reliable MV switchgear – essential to critical infrastructure
Cape, Aer sales Manager at ACTOM MV Switchgear, highlights the importance of rapid response capability. “Eective outage management requires established rapid-response protocols, qualified technical personnel, and local availability of critical spares, to ensure minimal service interruption. Network operators and switchgear service providers typically maintain 24-hour support capabilities and implement structured maintenance schedules and/ or condition-based maintenance to identify and address potential failure points before they escalate. Services Manager, Marius Lombard says, “It is important to work with a company that operates a dedicated services division with regional branches. Providing customers with real 24/7 technical support and access to specialists in the maintenance, inspection, and lifecycle management of MV switchgear installations is essential. Proactive and condition- based maintenance strategies enable early identification of wear, degradation, and operational risks before they turn towards costly failures. By combining field expertise, structured maintenance programmes, and access to OEM- level technical resources, a services division plays a critical role in safeguarding network reliability and extending the asset life of customer s’ installations.” When unplanned outages occur, coordinated field service teams can expedite restoration through on-site fault assessment, component replacement, and system recommissioning. Importantly, holding essential inventory and adhering to stringent response times are key to restoring network integrity and maintaining supply continuity across power distribution systems.” Using technology to enhance resilience Digitalisation is reshaping how operators manage electrical infrastructure. By integrating online condition-monitoring systems into MV switchgear, such as temperature and partial discharge monitoring, early warnings can be provided to help prevent failures. Features like infrared windows allow technicians to conduct inspections safely while equipment remains energised. These tools support a shi from time- based maintenance to predictive, condition-based strategies, improving safety and e iciency. The future of energy As global environmental standards evolve, so too must MV switchgear technology. New product ranges that eliminate reliance on fluorinated gases such as SFÀ, including solid dielectric insulated switchgear (SIS), need to be developed continually, in line with international regulations. With SF 6 -free solutions extending up to 40.5 kV, 3 150 A (4 000 A at 17.5 kV), and 40 kA, ACTOM enables mission-critical facilities to meet rising energy demands as they adapt to a rapidly changing power landscape. Reliable MV infrastructure underpins the performance of South Africa’s most essential facilities. As energy systems evolve and digitalisation accelerates, investment in durable, well-supported switchgear remains fundamental.
Many sectors across South Africa and the broader Southern African region depend on mission-critical facilities to deliver uninterrupted services. Hospitals, data centres, and large industrial operations cannot aord downtime, and their performance relies on stable and resilient medium voltage (MV) electrical systems. Ensuring these facilities operate smoothly, without disruption, requires equipment that can support changing energy demands, tolerate grid instability, and o er strong protection and monitoring capabilities. Meeting the demands of mission-critical environments A mission-critical facility is defined by its need for maximum uptime and minimal room for error. Rhett Kelly, Design and
Development Manager at ACTOM MV Switchgear, explains the role of MV switchgear in the electrical network: “It provides the switching capability needed for operational flexibility and protects upstream equipment by interrupting downstream faults and isolating them from the healthy network. Monitoring and protection systems ensure operators have full real-time visibility of network conditions both on site and remotely via SCADA (supervisory control and data acquisition) systems.”
To meet the varied needs of healthcare facilities, data centres, and industrial plants, ACTOM o ers a wide range of switchgear solutions with various configurations, insulation technologies, and busbar options. All solutions are designed and type- tested to local and international standards, ensuring they meet the performance and safety requirements demanded by high-reliability environments. Engineering reliability through robust design Reliability in MV systems is achieved through the technology used and its durability. It is important for switchgear to employ modern maintenance-free interruption technologies and durable operating mechanisms that have been tested by internationally recognised facilities for extended electrical and mechanical endurance, that is, they should be classified as E2 and M2, respectively, in accordance with IEC 62271-100. This testing confirms that resilient electrical and mechanical performance can be expected over long periods, reducing maintenance requirements and supporting continuous operation. While grid instability and rapid load fluctuations remain ongoing challenges, MV switchgear is designed to tolerate the voltage and current variations typically associated with such conditions. This resilience helps operators maintain stability even when external factors are unpredictable. Service support during outages Beyond the physical equipment, long-term support plays an instrumental role in maintaining supply continuity. Avrille
ACTOM offers a range of switchgear solutions with various configurations, insulation technologies, and busbar options, all designed to meet the needs of high-reliability environments.
For more information visit: www.actom.co.za
26 Electricity + Control MARCH 2026
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