Various switchgear, its breaker technologies and their application in cement plants

Cement factories today are technically very different from factories built 40 years ago and shall continuously operate. There are no technical areas that have not improved significantly due to developments in the last decades to reach the targets mentioned above. This applies to the use of the high voltage, medium voltage and low voltage switchgear and the breaker installed, as well. The ever increasing electric demand has propelled the growth of electrical systems where an associated rise in short circuit has increased the demand for high transformer, interrupting breakers, and switchgear ratings. Technically, the breaker technology, and especially the switchgear families applied today, are very different from those used in the past. The paper describes in detail the different types of switchgear technologies and its breakers that can sustain the higher ratings without compromising the reliability and security of the switchgear and their typical application in today's cement plants, based on a common way of engineering. The paper also provides information on the environmental implications of the different switchgear solutions, and illustrates the differences for consideration. The very important issue of the maintenance and upgrading of old technically-obsolete switchgear, is treated with practical suggestions and recommendations. Finally, the issue of standards and how they are applied to switchgear in the globalize world, were treated as well. The paper closes with the answer to a very interesting question; "What will be the future of switchgear and breaker technology, and in which direction will this technology move forward?".