Medium Voltage (MV) Switchgear and Controlgear play a critical role in power distribution systems, transferring electricity from high-voltage transmission networks to industrial sites, infrastructure zones, and even areas close to residential use.
Medium Voltage (MV) Switchgear and Controlgear supports efficient and reliable energy delivery by protecting MV systems and electrical assets from faults, helping to minimise downtime. This protection is further enhanced by substation automation systems, such as SCADA and IoT-connected features, which enable fast fault detection and response.
Medium Voltage AC Switchgear and Controlgear typically operate between 1kV and 52kV, using a range of insulating and interrupting mediums, including Vacuum, SF₆ gas, lower-GWP gases, and other green gas systems. These systems are often tailored to meet specific load demands and fault conditions.
As a result, safety, performance, quality, and reliability are essential attributes for medium voltage equipment, supporting stable, continuous power distribution and driving wider economic performance.
Intertek ASTA UK has a long-standing heritage in Medium Voltage equipment testing, dating back to its founding in 1938 as ASTA.
With deep expertise in the testing, inspection, and certification of Medium Voltage systems and components, Intertek continues to play an active role in shaping industry standards by contributing to technical committees at both national and international levels.
ASTA provides testing and certification services for a wide range of Medium Voltage equipment and standards, including but not limited to:
- Vacuum and gas-insulated circuit breakers – IEC 62271-100
- Air and gas-insulated disconnectors and earthing switches – IEC 62271-102
- Vacuum and gas-insulated switches – IEC 62271-103
- Vacuum and gas-insulated switch-fuse combinations – IEC 62271-105
- Automatic circuit reclosers – IEC 62271-111
- Air and gas-insulated metal-enclosed switchgear and control gear – IEC 62271-200
- Solid-insulation enclosed switchgear and control gear – IEC 62271-201
- Fuses for Medium Voltage applications – IEC 60282
ASTA Type Test Certificates from Intertek are increasingly requested by electrical contractors, project specifiers, and purchasers as trusted proof that a product has been thoroughly tested, assured, and certified for safety. Certified testing provides confidence across the supply chain, helping stakeholders meet their regulatory obligations, reduce product liability risks, and deliver safe, compliant products to their clients.
Today, Intertek ASTA offers flexible testing options to suit customer needs. Testing can be carried out at the manufacturer’s facilities, customer-preferred laboratories, or within Intertek’s global network of over 40 independent ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratories operating under the Intertek Recognised Testing Laboratory (RTL) scheme.
This extensive support structure, combined with Intertek’s impartial inspection and certification approach, makes ASTA one of the industry’s most trusted and preferred ATIC (Assurance, Testing, Inspection and Certification) service providers.
