Many sectors across South Africa and the broader region depend on mission-critical facilities to deliver uninterrupted services. Hospitals, data centres, and large industrial operations cannot afford downtime, and their performance relies heavily on stable and resilient Medium Voltage (MV) electrical systems. Ensuring that these facilities operate without disruption requires equipment that can support changing energy demands, tolerate grid instability, and offer strong protection and monitoring capabilities.

Meeting the Demands of Mission-Critical Environments

A mission-critical facility is defined by its need for maximum uptime and minimal room for error. Rhett Kelly, Design and Development Manager at ACTOM MV Switchgear, explains that MV switchgear serves as the backbone of the electrical network: “It provides the switching capability needed for operational flexibility and protects upstream equipment by interrupting downstream faults and isolating them from the healthy network. Monitoring and protection systems ensure that operators have full real-time visibility of network conditions both onsite and remotely via SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition).”

To meet the varied needs of hospitals, data centres, and industrial plants, ACTOM offers a wide range of switchgear solutions with various configurations, insulation technologies, and busbar options. All solutions are designed and type-testing to both local and international standards, ensuring they meet the performance and safety requirements demanded by high-reliability environments.

Engineering Reliability Through Robust Design

Reliability in MV systems is achieved through both technology and endurance. It is important for switchgear to employ modern maintenance-free interruption technologies and durable operating mechanisms that have been tested by internationally recognised facilities for extended electrical and mechanical endurance, i.e. classified as E2 and M2, respectively, in accordance with IEC 62271-100. This testing ensures resilient electrical and mechanical performance over long periods, reducing maintenance requirements and supporting continuous operation.

While grid instability and rapid load fluctuations remain ongoing challenges across the region, MV switchgear is designed to tolerate the voltage and current variations typically associated with these conditions. This resilience helps operators maintain stability even when external factors are unpredictable.

Real-World Support in Times of Outage

Beyond the physical equipment, long-term support plays a vital role in maintaining supply continuity. Avrille Cape, After sales Manager at ACTOM MV Switchgear, highlights the importance of rapid response capability.  “Effective outage management requires established rapid-response protocols, qualified technical personnel, and local availability of critical spares to ensure minimal service interruption. Network operators and switchgear service providers typically maintain 24-hour support capabilities and implement structured maintenance schedules and/or condition-based maintenance to identify and address potential failure points before they escalate. 

“It is important to work with a company that operates a dedicated Services division with multiple regional branches,” says Services Manager, Marius Lombard. “Providing customers with true 24/7 technical support and access to specialists in the maintenance, inspection, and life-cycle management of MV switchgear installations is vital. Proactive and condition-based maintenance strategies, ensure early identification of wear, degradation, and operational risks before they progress into costly failures. By combining field expertise, structured maintenance programmes, and access to OEM-level technical resources, a Services division plays a critical role in safeguarding network reliability and extending the asset life of customer installations.”

When unplanned outages occur, coordinated field service teams can expedite restoration through on-site fault assessment, component replacement, and system recommissioning. Importantly, holding essential inventory and adhering to stringent response times are key to restoring network integrity and maintaining supply continuity across power distribution systems.” 

Using Technology to Enhance Resilience

Digitalisation is reshaping how operators manage electrical infrastructure. By integrating online condition-monitoring systems into MV switchgear, such as temperature and partial discharge monitoring, early warnings can be provided to help prevent failures. Features like infrared windows allow technicians to conduct inspections safely while equipment remains energised. These tools support a shift from time-based maintenance to predictive, condition-based strategies, improving both safety and efficiency.

Preparing for the Future of Energy

As global environmental standards evolve, so too must MV switchgear technology. New product ranges that eliminate reliance on fluorinated gases such as SF₆, including solid dielectric insulated switchgear (SIS), must be continuously developed in line with international regulations. With SF6-free solutions extending up to 40.5 kV, 3150 A (4000A at 17.5kV), and 40 kA, ACTOM aims to ensure that mission-critical facilities can meet rising energy demands while adapting to a rapidly changing power landscape.

Keeping abreast with “4IR” trends, ACTOM has introduced QR-code access to documentation, making it easier for customers and operators to retrieve online cloud-based manuals, drawings, and test reports when needed.

Building a Foundation for Long-Term Stability

Reliable MV infrastructure underpins the performance of South Africa’s most essential facilities. As energy systems evolve and digitalisation accelerates, investment in durable, well-supported switchgear remains essential. Through a combination of technical capability, long-term service support, and ongoing innovation, a resilient foundation can be built for sectors that cannot afford interruption.