How do isolation switches prevent backfeeding in switchgear?

Isolation switches play a crucial role in switchgear by ensuring that electrical circuits are completely separated when maintenance or inspection is required. This separation is essential for safety, as it prevents the potential flow of current from one segment of the circuit to another, which could lead to hazardous conditions for technicians working on de-energized equipment. By definitively isolating or separating circuit segments, these switches effectively block any unintended paths for electrical current, thus eliminating the risk of backfeeding.

Backfeeding occurs when power unexpectedly flows back into a portion of the electrical system, which could happen if there is a connection to an energized source. Isolation switches prevent this by ensuring that both ends of a circuit segment are disconnected from the rest of the system, thereby ensuring that maintenance personnel can work safely, confident that the isolated section does not have any electrical potential. This definitive separation is a key safety feature in switchgear operations and is why isolation switches are a vital component of any electrical distribution system.