Outdoor AIS Switchgear

Outdoor AIS Switchgear for Renewable Energy & Grid Distribution — SF6-Free, IP55 Sealed Solution

Outdoor AIS Switchgear represents a proven approach to medium-voltage power distribution in demanding field environments. DSY Switchgear, founded in 2005 with a registered capital of RMB 50.6 million, manufactures metal-enclosed, air-insulated outdoor switchgear rated from 7.2kV to 40.5kV. With 200 employees — 40 of whom are technical staff (20.8% ratio) — and more than 60 patents, DSY supplies qualified products to State Grid and China Southern Power Grid. The cabinet supports bus currents from 630A to 3150A, short-time withstand current up to 40kA/4s, and meets IEC 62271-200 standards.

What Is Outdoor AIS Switchgear?

The main dielectric medium between live conductors and earthed components in Air-Insulated Switchgear (AIS) is ambient air. It is more economical and environmentally friendly than Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) because it does not rely on SF6 for primary busbar insulation.

For business-to-business purchasers, this kind of switchgear provides a clear visible confirmation of circuit isolation during maintenance, saves the high capital cost of inside substation structures, and simplifies the management of SF6 gas. That combination is truly important for industrial operators, utilities, and providers of renewable energy.

Key Product Features

SF6-Free, Environmentally Responsible Design

The insulation is pure air — no SF6 gas, no greenhouse gas emissions. This directly supports carbon-reduction compliance goals that are increasingly required in public utility and renewable energy projects.

304/316 Stainless Steel Anti-Corrosion Cabinet

The enclosure is fabricated from 304 stainless steel as standard, with 316 stainless steel available for more aggressive environments. It resists UV radiation, salt spray, and industrial pollutants. Anti-corrosion grades C3 and C4 are both available, covering coastal, humid, and chemical-polluted sites.

IP43 / IP55 Protection Rating

The cabinet's protection grade reaches IP55, keeping out rain, dust, and small animals. This sealed design significantly reduces the risk of insulation flashover caused by moisture ingress or foreign object intrusion.

Complete Five-Prevention Interlocking

Every unit comes standard with a full five-proof mechanical interlocking system. This prevents accidental energization, incorrect breaker operation, and unauthorized access to live compartments — a mandatory safety requirement under IEC and GB standards.

Built-In Heating and Dehumidification Module

A condensation suppression heating and dehumidification module is integrated into the cabinet. It actively controls internal humidity, preventing condensation flashover during temperature cycling common in outdoor environments.

Outdoor Dedicated Vacuum Circuit Breaker

The circuit breaker is specifically selected for Outdoor AIS Switchgear service conditions. Vacuum interruption technology delivers reliable fault clearance without gas management requirements.

Technical Specifications

Application Scenarios

Photovoltaic Booster Stations and Wind Farms

Renewable energy projects require switchgear that endures extreme UV exposure, wide temperature swings, and remote unattended operation. The stainless steel sealed cabinet and optional intelligent monitoring module address exactly these requirements.

Suburban Municipal Power Distribution

For municipal utilities expanding into suburban or semi-rural areas, this switchgear provides a cost-effective alternative to building indoor substation rooms. Modular parallel installation allows substations to be built to fit available land.

Wild and Unattended Distribution Points

The built-in dehumidification system, five-proof interlocking, and IP55 sealing make this cabinet well suited for unmanned field installations where regular manual intervention is not practical.

Heavy Industrial and Mining Sites

In petrochemical, mining, and industrial environments with vibration and chemical pollution, the open-air sealed design allows natural heat dissipation and supports straightforward visual verification of safe working conditions before maintenance.

Quality Control and Compliance

Every unit undergoes type tests covering lightning impulse voltage, temperature rise at rated current, and short-time withstand current. Routine tests on each cabinet include power-frequency voltage testing on the main circuit, mechanical operation testing, and main circuit resistance measurement.

DSY provides a full set of environmental adaptability test reports with every shipment. Technical drawings, hoisting and installation guidance, and remote after-sales support are all included. This documentation package is particularly important for B2B procurement teams managing project commissioning across multiple sites.

Customization and Supply Advantages

Your project site may have specific terrain, installation space constraints, or a custom single-line diagram. The cabinet layout, anti-corrosion grade, and installation method can all be configured to match your actual site conditions.

The modular architecture supports parallel outdoor installation of multiple cabinets and flexible combination of incoming lines, outgoing lines, bus coupling units, and PT cabinets. The design also supports expansion with outdoor unattended intelligent monitoring modules, enabling remote SCADA integration without cabinet replacement.

OEM customization services are available for procurement teams and EPC contractors requiring branded or project-specific configurations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1: What insulation method does this switchgear use?

A: Air insulation — no SF6 gas. This eliminates greenhouse gas emissions and removes the need for gas handling equipment on-site.

Q2: What protection level does the cabinet provide?

A: The cabinet reaches IP43 or IP55 depending on configuration. The stainless steel sealed structure is suitable for open-air, high-humidity, high-salt-spray, and high-dust environments.

Q3: How does altitude affect switchgear performance?

A: At altitudes above 1000m, air density decreases and dielectric strength is reduced. Correction factors are applied to insulation clearances following IEC 60071-2 to maintain safe operating margins.

Q4: What safety interlocks are included?

A: A complete five-prevention mechanical interlocking system is standard. It prevents accidental energization, incorrect breaker operation, and unauthorized access to energized compartments.

Q5: Can the cabinet be used in coastal C5-M environments?

A: For C5-M environments, creepage distance can be increased and structural components can receive additional anti-corrosion treatment. Contact DSY to discuss your specific site corrosivity classification.

Q6: Can the switchgear support remote monitoring?

A: Yes. The design supports expansion with outdoor unattended intelligent monitoring modules, enabling remote data acquisition and operational monitoring through SCADA or substation automation systems.

Contact Us

For specifications, pricing, or customization inquiries about our Outdoor AIS Switchgear solutions, contact us at [email protected] — we respond promptly to project inquiries.