Quanta Services Investment Brings Advanced Testing Technology to Pennsylvania Switchgear
CANONSBURG, Pa. — Pennsylvania Switchgear has expanded its high-voltage and environmental testing capabilities at its Canonsburg facility, following a significant investment by Quanta Services Inc. that company leaders say will enhance reliability, safety and environmental performance for customers across the utility, renewable, industrial and data center markets.
Quanta Services acquired Pennsylvania Transformer Technology Inc. in October 2023. Pennsylvania Switchgear operates as a division of PTT, designing, assembling and testing high-voltage circuit breakers in the United States.
Expanded U.S. Manufacturing and Testing Operations
Recent investments have strengthened a fully integrated domestic operation in Canonsburg, consolidating management, engineering, research and development, final assembly and technical support at a single U.S. location.
The latest upgrades focus on testing — a critical step in ensuring high-voltage circuit breakers perform safely and reliably under real-world grid conditions.
New 500-kV High-Voltage Test System Enhances Grid Readiness
At the center of the expansion is a new 500-kilovolt high-voltage test system from Phenix Technologies. The steel-grounded, dead-tank system allows engineers to subject circuit breakers to voltages up to 500 kV, replicating the extreme electrical stresses encountered on modern transmission systems.
Company officials say the system strengthens validation of breaker performance before equipment is deployed in the field, helping utilities meet increasingly demanding reliability standards.
Advanced SF₆ Leak Detection Supports Environmental Compliance
Pennsylvania Switchgear has also expanded its environmental testing capabilities with the installation of a specialized SF₆ photoacoustic leak-detection chamber.
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) is widely used in high-voltage circuit breakers for its insulating properties but is also a potent greenhouse gas. The new chamber is designed to detect extremely small SF₆ leaks that might otherwise go unnoticed.
The system combines infrared, photoionization and acoustic sensors with visual and thermal imaging tools, allowing technicians to quickly and accurately pinpoint leaks.
Early Detection Reduces Emissions and Operating Costs
The added capability strengthens environmental compliance while helping customers avoid costly gas losses. Early leak detection can extend equipment life, reduce environmental impact and lower long-term operating costs over the life of the breaker.
Enhanced Mechanical Testing Exceeds Industry Standards
As part of the testing expansion, Pennsylvania Switchgear has also made dynamic contact resistance testing a standard part of its mechanical test process.
While not required under IEEE testing standards, the baseline test validates the behavior of sliding contacts and moving components and provides a reference point for future analysis throughout the installed life of the breaker.
Quanta Investment Supports Faster Delivery and Higher Quality
Company officials say the testing upgrades reflect a broader strategy to invest in U.S. manufacturing, quality control and supply-chain resilience. By consolidating advanced testing, engineering and assembly in one location, Pennsylvania Switchgear aims to shorten lead times, improve communication and deliver equipment built for increasingly complex grid requirements.
For customers, the investment means circuit breakers that are more thoroughly tested, validated and optimized before leaving the factory — an increasingly critical advantage as electrical systems grow larger and more essential to daily life.
The Pennsylvania Switchgear routine test lab now features an industry-leading combination of equipment and test capabilities designed to deliver a “set-it-and-forget-it” fleet of assets for the growing and demanding energy industry.
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 management, engineering, final assembly, testing and technical support in a single domestic facility, emphasizing precision, reliability and testing beyond industry standards. Backed by Quanta Services, Pennsylvania Switchgear delivers tailored solutions and comprehensive support to utility and industrial customers across the continent.
About Quanta Services
Quanta Services Inc. is a leading American infrastructure services company headquartered in Houston, Texas, providing engineering, construction, maintenance and repair solutions across the electric power, pipeline, industrial and communications sectors in North America and select international markets. With more than 200 operating companies and the industry’s largest skilled craft labor force, Quanta emphasizes safety, quality and innovation in connecting people and power.