schakelstation

A schakelstation, or switching station, is a facility in an electrical power transmission network where high voltage lines are interconnected and circuits can be opened or closed to control power flow. It may or may not contain transformers that alter voltage levels, depending on its function in the network.

Typical equipment includes switchgear (circuit breakers and disconnectors), busbars, protection relays, and control and communication systems. The station may be outdoor with air-insulated equipment (AIS) or enclosed in a gas-insulated (GIS) housing for higher density and safety.

Role and operation: It acts to connect or isolate lines, route power between different network regions, and, if transformers are present, step voltage to higher or lower levels for transmission or distribution. It is a critical element for reliability, fault isolation, maintenance operations, and integration of generation such as wind and solar. Modern schakelstations use automation, SCADA, and protective relays to monitor voltage, current, and fault conditions and to coordinate with neighboring stations.

Relation to other terms: In many contexts, schakelstation is equivalent to a substation or switching substation at the transmission level. The term may refer to facilities at 110 kV and above and is distinguished from distribution substations that feed local networks.