---
title: "What Is Switchgear? Electrical Glossary | Daniel Electric"
description: "Switchgear is large commercial equipment that houses breakers, switches and relays used to control, protect and isolate power."
url: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/switchgear
publisher: Daniel Electric
phone: +1-817-481-8606
quote: https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact
---

Commercial

# Switchgear

Switchgear is large commercial equipment that houses breakers, switches and relays used to control, protect and isolate power.

OSHA's glossary describes outdoor metal-clad switchgear as a weatherproof housing for circuit breakers, protective relays, meters, current transformers, potential transformers, bus conductors and other equipment. Indoor switchgear must be protected from the environment.

It sits between the utility [transformer](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/transformer) and the building's panels, and it feeds [three-phase](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/three-phase-power) loads. Only qualified electricians work in or near it, under rules such as [NFPA 70E](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/nfpa-70e). See [commercial electrician](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/commercial-electrician).

[Daniel Electric can helpCommercial electrician](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/commercial-electrician)

## Related terms

-   [Transformer](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/transformer)
-   [Three-phase power](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/three-phase-power)
-   [NFPA 70E](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/nfpa-70e)
-   [Thermal imaging](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/glossary/thermal-imaging)

## Sources

1.  [OSHA: Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution eTool glossary](https://www.osha.gov/etools/electric-power/glossary-terms)
2.  [OSHA: Electric Power Generation, Transmission, and Distribution eTool glossary](https://www.osha.gov/etools/electric-power/glossary-terms)

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## Need an electrician in Southlake?

Call and tell us what is going on. A photo of the panel label or the problem helps us come prepared. Quotes on new installations are free.

[Call (817) 481-8606](tel:+1-817-481-8606)[Get a quote](https://danielelectric.multisites.ai/contact)

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