While switchgear is composed of switching devices designed to turn the power on or off, switchboards are panels equipped with devices ready to reroute power as needed. Switchgear uses switching devices for low, medium, and high voltage electrical circuits.

Switchgear is a broad term that describes a wide variety of switching devices that all fulfill a common need: controlling, protecting, and isolating power systems. This definition can be extended to include devices to regulate and meter a power system, circuit breakers, and similar technology.

Based on voltage level, switchgear can be classified as low voltage (LV), medium voltage (MV), or high voltage (HV). That means a type of electrical switchgear for different installations or applications: more about these kinds of electrical switchgear below.

The three sections of switchgear enclosures include the front section, bus section, and the circuit section. The circuit section is crucial as it contains the circuit breakers for protecting the electrical circuit.