Padmount & Underground Switchgear
Ryan Sales supplies padmount switchgear from G&W Electric for underground distribution from 15 kV through 38 kV. The line covers Trident solid dielectric switches, which use no SF6, and sealed SF6 load break and fault interrupting gear for padmount and vault installations. Our reps help utilities, co-ops and contractors in Texas and Oklahoma choose ratings, configurations and automation options.
Send the voltage, ampacity and fault duty. A rep will narrow it down.
G&W ElectricGRAM Load Break Switchgear with Integral GroundSF6-insulated load break switchgear that adds an integral ground position for safe cable grounding.- Voltage class
- 15.5–38 kV
- Continuous current
- 630–900 A
- Configuration
- Integral ground position
G&W ElectricLPFI Load Break and Fault Interrupting SwitchgearGas-insulated switchgear pairing load break switching with fault interrupting protection for underground distribution.- Voltage class
- 15.5–38 kV
- Continuous current
- 630–900 A
- Fault interrupting
- 12.5–25 kA
G&W ElectricModel T Load Break Switchgear with Integral GroundCompact SF6 load break switchgear with built-in grounding capability for distribution circuits.- Voltage class
- 15.5–38 kV
- Continuous current
- 630–900 A
- Configuration
- Integral ground
G&W ElectricPNI Load Break and Fault Interrupting SwitchgearPadmount SF6 switchgear combining load break ways and fault interrupting ways in one dead-front unit.- Voltage class
- 15.5–38 kV
- Continuous current
- 630–900 A
- Fault interrupting
- 12.5–25 kA
G&W ElectricPVI Load Break and Fault Interrupting SwitchgearSealed gas-insulated switchgear with integrated load break and fault interrupting for distribution circuits.- Voltage class
- 15.5–38 kV
- Continuous current
- 630–900 A
- Fault interrupting
- 12.5–25 kA
G&W ElectricRAM Load Break SwitchgearTotally sealed dead-front SF6 padmount and vault switchgear for three-phase distribution load break switching.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 35 kV
- Maximum voltage
- 38 kV
- Continuous current
- 630 (900 available) A
G&W ElectricRPFI Load Break and Fault Interrupting SwitchgearG&W's most compact and economical SF6 switch combining load break switching and 12.5kA fault interrupting.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 kV
- Maximum voltage
- 15.5 / 27 kV
- Continuous current
- 630 A
G&W ElectricTFI / TVI / TNI / GNI Switchgear with Integral Ground and Fault InterruptingFamily of SF6 switchgear models combining load break switching, fault interrupting and integral grounding.- Voltage class
- 15.5–38 kV
- Continuous current
- 630–900 A
- Fault interrupting
- 12.5–25 kA
G&W ElectricTrident-S Solid Dielectric SwitchgearSpring-assisted three-phase solid dielectric load break and fault interrupting switch with SafeVu visible break option.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 35 kV
- Maximum voltage
- 38 kV
- Continuous current
- 630 A
G&W ElectricTrident-SP Single Phase SwitchgearSingle-phase spring-assisted solid dielectric load break switch for underground distribution up to 27kV.- Maximum voltage
- Up to 27 kV
- Continuous current
- Up to 900 A
- Phases
- Single-phase
G&W ElectricTrident-SR Automation SwitchgearMagnetically actuated solid dielectric switchgear with 3.5-cycle operation built for distribution automation and automatic transfer.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 35 kV
- Continuous current
- 630 A
- Fault interrupting
- 12.5 kA
G&W ElectricTrident-ST Solid Dielectric SwitchgearThree-phase solid dielectric switch with single-phase switched ways for underground distribution switching and fault interrupting.- Voltage class
- 15 / 25 / 35 kV
- Maximum voltage
- Up to 38 kV
- Continuous current
- 630 A
How to choose padmount & underground switchgear
Solid dielectric or SF6 insulation
Start with the insulating medium, because it drives everything else. Trident solid dielectric switchgear encapsulates vacuum interrupters in solid insulation, so there is no gas to monitor, top off or report, and the Trident-ST is rated submersible to 20 ft for 20 days. SF6 designs such as the RAM are totally sealed and dead-front with a long field history, and they reach 900 A continuous. SF6 is a potent greenhouse gas, so many owners now prefer solid dielectric where the ratings fit.
Voltage class and BIL
Match the system voltage first, then confirm the BIL. Most models here come in 15, 25 and 35 kV classes (up to 38 kV maximum) with 110, 125 and 150 kV BIL. The compact RPFI stops at the 25 kV class (27 kV maximum), and the single-phase Trident-SP is rated up to 27 kV for residential URD.
Load break only or fault interrupting
Decide whether each way only switches load or also clears faults. Load break ways sectionalize a loop for maintenance, while fault interrupting ways replace fuses and isolate a faulted cable or transformer without a truck roll to change links. Many lineups mix both, like the PNI, which combines load break and fault interrupting ways in one padmount unit.
| Model | Insulation | Voltage class | Continuous | Fault interrupting | Mechanical ops |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Trident-ST | Solid dielectric | 15/25/35 kV | 630 A | 12.5 kA | 2,000 |
| Trident-S | Solid dielectric | 15/25/35 kV | 630 A | 12.5 kA (up to 16 kA) | Not listed |
| Trident-SR | Solid dielectric | 15/25/35 kV | 630 A | 12.5 kA | 10,000 |
| RAM | SF6 | 15/25/35 kV | 630 A (900 A available) | Load break only | 2,000 |
| RPFI | SF6 | 15/25 kV | 630 A | 12.5 kA | 2,000 |
Automation and source transfer
If the switchgear will operate under SCADA or automatic transfer, look at operating speed and duty. The Trident-SR uses magnetic actuators for 3.5-cycle operation, transfers in under 10 cycles and is rated for 10,000 mechanical operations, which suits frequent switching in loop schemes and critical-load transfer. Spring-assisted units such as the Trident-S also support automatic source transfer where speed is less critical.
Grounding and site conditions
Consider how crews will ground cables and where the unit will sit. The GRAM and TFI/TVI/TNI/GNI family add an integral ground position, so cables can be grounded through the switch rather than with separate elbows. For flood-prone vaults, submersible ratings matter more than footprint.
For deeper background, read Solid Dielectric vs SF6 Switchgear and Medium Voltage Equipment Lead Times, see Separable Connectors for the cable terminations these units need, or request a quote.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between solid dielectric and SF6 switchgear?
Solid dielectric switchgear insulates live parts with solid epoxy or rubber and switches in vacuum, while SF6 switchgear seals its switches inside a tank of sulfur hexafluoride gas. SF6 is compact and has a long service record, but it is a potent greenhouse gas that must be monitored, handled and reported. Solid dielectric has no gas to leak or track. G&W Electric offers both: the Trident family is solid dielectric, and the RAM and PVI lines are SF6.
Load break vs fault interrupting switch — which do I need?
Choose a fault interrupting switch if the gear itself must clear faults; a load break switch is enough if an upstream breaker or recloser does that job. A load break switch can open and close normal load current and close into a fault safely, but it cannot interrupt fault current. Fault interrupting ways use vacuum interrupters with an electronic control, so a faulted tap is cleared without taking out the whole feeder. G&W's RPFI switchgear combines both types of way in one unit.
Can padmount switchgear be installed in a flood-prone vault?
Yes, if the switchgear and its controls are rated for submersion. Sealed, dead-front designs keep water away from live parts, and solid dielectric units have no gas seals to fail. G&W's Trident-S and Trident-ST are rated submersible at 20 feet for 20 days, and the RAM SF6 line is built as totally sealed padmount and vault gear. Also check that the motor operators, controls and cable accessories are rated for submersion. Ryan Sales can help confirm a design for a flood-prone vault.
What voltage classes does G&W switchgear cover?
G&W Electric padmount and vault switchgear covers the 15, 25 and 35 kV classes, up to 38 kV maximum, with BIL ratings of 110, 125 and 150 kV. Most three-phase lines, including Trident-S, Trident-SR and RAM, span that full range. The Trident-SP single-phase switch goes up to 27 kV, and the RPFI line covers the 15 and 25 kV classes. Continuous ratings are typically 630 A, with 900 A available on several models.