Pennsylvania Switchgear Expands U.S. Production of PB-Series High-Voltage Circuit Breakers with Shortest Lead Times in The Industry
CANONSBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Switchgear, a U.S.-based producer of high-voltage dead tank circuit breakers, continues to expand domestic production capacity following significant investment by Quanta Services Inc., who acquired Pennsylvania Transformer Technology Inc. (PTT) in October 2023.
Pennsylvania Switchgear operates as a division of PTT, and designs, assembles and tests high-voltage circuit breakers in the United States focused on the utility, renewable, industrial and data center markets.
Recent investments in the Canonsburg facility have strengthened a fully integrated U.S. operation, bringing management, engineering, research and development, final assembly and technical support together at one site.
Due to high market demand and growing equipment lead times Pennsylvania Switchgear relaunched the Type PB72 and PB145 high-voltage dead tank circuit breakers in 2025. Currently, there is a legacy installed fleet of more than 275 breakers in service today.
The Canonsburg facility is now offering delivery lead times of 33 to 35 weeks, which is significantly shorter than current industry norms.
“We’re excited to support our customers with a quality product and very competitive delivery lead times,” said Terry Obney, director of sales and marketing.
“Streamlined production of about 35 weeks is representative of the standardized designs and localized control assembly,” he said. “The readiness of the business prior to launch affords production capacity which is now available to the market.”
The Type PB circuit breakers are rated for high voltage transmission applications ranging from 72.5 kV to 170 kV maximum system voltage, with interrupting ratings up to 40 kA. The circuit breakers include several shared design characteristics, including an integrated tank heater system for applications below minus 30 degrees Celsius, eliminating the need for external heaters. The biased interrupter placement design includes a longitudinal integrated particle trap to support strong dielectric performance driven by a common spring-spring operating mechanism across both voltage classes.
About Pennsylvania Switchgear
Pennsylvania Switchgear is a U.S.-based producer of high-voltage dead tank circuit breakers and engineered switchgear solutions for North American power systems, serving voltage classes from 72.5 kV to 170 kV. Headquartered in Canonsburg, Pennsylvania, the company houses all management, engineering, final assembly, testing, and technical support in one domestic facility, emphasizing precision, reliability, and rigorous testing beyond industry standards. As an American-owned company backed by Quanta Services, Pennsylvania Switchgear delivers tailored solutions and comprehensive support to utility and industrial customers across the continent.