Future trends in electrical substations from the end-users perspective - Near future safety features

This paper outlines an end-user's perspective of near future safety improvements needed for Medium Voltage (MV)/Low Voltage (LV) switchgear, and MV/LV Motor Control Center (MCC) various equipment functions and features. These features can be incorporated within the next three to five years to mitigate frequently performed at-risk behaviors in the substation. In addition, Smart Substation equipment enhancements that provide online, automatic, diagnostic, feedback for switchgear and motor control degradation are recommended. The anticipated result is an inherently safer equipment design that requires less at-risk behavior for normal process substation tasks.