Switchgear And Control Handbook -

Problem: A 100 HP motor in a conveyor system trips the main breaker in the MCC when starting, but the breaker is rated for 150% of FLA.

Handbook Solution: Turn to the chapter on Motor Starting Characteristics. The handbook reminds you that a NEMA Design B motor draws 600% of full load current during locked rotor (starting). Check the breaker’s instantaneous trip setting. If it is set to 10x (standard) but the inrush peak is 12x, the breaker will trip. The solution: Use a time-delay fuse or a breaker with a higher instantaneous setting (e.g., 13x) or a soft starter, as detailed in the Coordination tables.

The "how to choose" part.

Imagine a hospital operating room. A short circuit occurs in the coffee maker circuit in the break room. Do the lights in the OR go out? Absolutely not.

The handbook dedicates entire chapters to selective coordination—the practice of tripping only the breaker closest to the fault. It provides the time-current curves (TCCs) and logic necessary to ensure that the smallest breaker trips first, keeping the rest of the plant running.

Introduction
A Switchgear and Control Handbook is an essential reference for electrical engineers, technicians, and facility managers who design, install, operate, and maintain electrical distribution and control systems. This post summarizes the handbook’s core topics, explains why it matters, and gives practical guidance you can apply immediately. switchgear and control handbook

What switchgear and control covers

Why the handbook matters

Practical takeaways and checklist

Common pitfalls to avoid

Suggested reading order in a handbook

Conclusion
A Switchgear and Control Handbook is both a design manual and an operational playbook: use it to design robust systems, perform safe commissioning, and run disciplined maintenance programs. Apply the practical checklist above to reduce risks and increase reliability in any electrical distribution installation.

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Switchgear and Control Handbook , edited by Robert W. Smeaton and published by McGraw-Hill, is a classic reference used by electrical engineers to specify, select, install, and maintain electrical distribution equipment. The text is typically structured into four primary parts: Part I: Electrical Systems and Standards

Covers general power engineering fundamentals, including power conditioning, environmental factors (like lightning), and instrumentation. It heavily references standards from bodies like Part II: Switchgear and Distribution Equipment

Provides technical details on industrial switchgear, batteries, panelboards, switchboards, busways, and substations. Part III: Motor Control and Protective Devices Problem: A 100 HP motor in a conveyor

Focuses on devices used to activate, deactivate, and protect electrical consumers, such as contactors and motor protection switches. Part IV: Modern Control Systems

Found in the 3rd Edition, this section introduces programmable controllers (PLCs) and computers for machine and process line control. Key Specifications Description Robert W. Smeaton McGraw-Hill Common Editions 1st (1977), 2nd (1987), 3rd (1997) Subject Matter

Automatic control, electric switchgear, and safety maintenance

For those looking for a practical "how-to" rather than a theoretical textbook, this handbook is widely considered a leading resource for field professionals. digital copy of this handbook, or do you need a summary of a specific chapter

Switchgear and Control Handbook by Robert W. Smeaton | Hardcover Why the handbook matters

The Switchgear and Control Handbook is a masterpiece of traditional electrical engineering. It teaches the "hard skills" of power systems—understanding the mechanics, the physics, and the control logic.

However, it must be treated as a foundational text rather than a cutting-edge reference. To be a fully competent modern engineer, you should read this to understand the iron and copper, and then read manufacturer application guides to understand the silicon and fiber.