1. What Types of Distribution Cabinets Are There? One Table Tells You
"Distribution cabinet" is a general term. By GB/T 7251.1-2023 and GB 50054-2011, mainstream low-voltage distribution cabinets in China fall into the following 6 categories by structure and application:
| Type | Construction | Typical Capacity | Primary Application | Corresponding Photo from Zhejiang Golden Unicorn |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GGD | Fixed panel type | 100–1500 A | Plant main distribution / workshop incoming line | cs-common-distribution-cabinet |
| GCS | Drawer type + fixed separation | 630–4000 A | MCC / high short-circuit requirement | cs-double-door-double-door-control-cabinet |
| MNS | Drawer type (modular) | 630–4000 A | Same as GCS, mainstream import replacement | cs-large-equipment-control-cabinet |
| XL-21 | Power distribution box (floor-standing) | 63–630 A | Low-power workshop end-of-line | cs-medium-distribution-cabinet |
| Dual power cabinet (ATS) | GGD plus ATS transfer | 100–1600 A | Fire protection / hospitals / data centers | cs-dual-power-cabinet |
| PZ30 / JP | Modular terminal box | ≤ 100 A | Indoor lighting / end-of-line receptacles | cs-distribution-box-2 |
For incoming capacity ≤ 630 A, choose GGD; above 630 A or where frequent maintenance access is needed, choose GCS / MNS; for end-of-line power distribution, choose XL-21; where main/standby transfer is required, choose an ATS plus GGD.Price rises in multiples with short-circuit withstand capability — selecting to actual need is the real cost saving.
2. GGD distribution cabinet: the fixed-type low-voltage cabinet most widely used in factories 100–1500 A main incoming cabinet
GGD is the workhorse cabinet type for factory power distribution in Chinaworkhorse cabinet type. The enclosure uses 8MF cold-formed steel sections, with the main busbar run vertically, and can be operated from one side or both sides. Common ratings:
| Rating | Width × depth × height (mm) | Main busbar | Rated short-circuit withstand | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GGD1 | 800(1000) × 600 × 2200 | 630 A / 1000 A | 15 kA / 0.1s | Small-capacity main incoming, workshop |
| GGD2 | 800(1000) × 800 × 2200 | 1600 A | 30 kA / 0.1s | Medium workshop / floor main distribution board |
| GGD3 | 1000(1200) × 800(1000) × 2200 | 2000–3150 A | 50 kA / 0.1s | Main incoming, large projects |
Key process parameters of the Zhejiang Golden Unicorn GGD cabinet:Laser cutting ±0.1 mm / diagonal tolerance ≤ 1.5 mm / powder coating 60–80 μm @ 200°C × 30 min / busbar temperature rise ≤ 70 K / grounding resistance ≤ 4 Ω.
3. GCS / MNS drawer cabinets: how to configure withdrawable units High capacity · easy maintenance · higher price
GCS and MNS are both drawer-type low-voltage cabinets; the differences are in structural detail:GCS is domestically produced with 20/25 module pitch and a friendly price; MNS follows the Schneider Blokset system with 25/30 module pitch and more refined appearance and finish.Up to 9 drawer tiers per cabinet, each tier holding 1 drawer unit plus 1 auxiliary compartment in 8E/16E/24E.
The three functional unit sizes of the drawers:
- 1/2 drawer (200 mm high): outgoing circuits ≤ 100 A, suited to small motors
- 1 drawer (220 mm high): 100–250 A, suited to medium motors
- 2 drawers (440 mm high): 250–630 A, suited to large motors / incoming feeders
Zhejiang Golden Unicorn GCS drawer cabinets have been supplied to multiple data center equipment rooms and new-energy vehicle body-in-white welding shops,up to 4000 A per cabinet, busbar short-time withstand 80 kA/0.1s.
4. XL-21 power cabinet: low-power end-of-line distribution 63–630 A · low cost · flexible outgoing circuits
XL-21 is a "custom-recommended type" power cabinet, widely used in workshops with dense equipment — most commonly for individual machines in the 5.5–55 kW range. Structural features: cabinet height 1700/1800 mm, operating panel below the front door, bottom cable entry and bottom cable exit.
| Cabinet rating | Number of circuits accommodated | Main incoming line | Typical applications |
|---|---|---|---|
| XL-21 800×400×1700 | 4–6 circuits | 63–100 A molded case | Small workshop / up to 6 equipment points |
| XL-21 1000×600×1800 | 8–10 circuits | 160–250 A molded case | Standard workshop power |
| XL-21 1200×800×1800 | 12–16 circuits | 400 A molded case | Large workshop power + centralized control |
If the end-of-line power cabinetNot requireddoes not need main/standby transfer or high short-circuit withstand, XL-21 costs 30–40% less than GGD and 50%+ less than a drawer-type cabinet.MOQ 1 unit, 15–25 days, direct from the source factory.
5. Dual Power Supply Cabinet (ATS): How to Choose Automatic Main/Standby Transfer Mandatory for fire protection / hospitals / data centers
An ATS (Automatic Transfer Switch) dual power supply cabinet handles automatic main/standby transfer between two utility feeds or utility + generator. Zhejiang Golden Unicorn commonly uses two ATS approaches:
| Type | Transfer time | Where it is used | Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| PC-class ATS (integrated) | ≤ 0.1s | Fire pumps / emergency lighting | Medium |
| CB-class ATS (breaker combination) | 0.5–1.5s | Hospitals / data center equipment rooms | Medium–High |
| Bypass-isolated type | Allows live maintenance | Data centers / critical loads | High |
Selection comes down to three factors:① Transfer time (fire protection ≤0.1s, equipment rooms ≤1.5s); ② Whether bypass is required (standard for equipment rooms); ③ Whether mechanical / electrical interlocking is complete.
6. Workshop Photos: 6 Details of Cabinet Assembly (workshop photos)
Zhejiang Golden Unicorn does not publish AI-rendered white-background product images — everything below isphotographed on the assembly line at the Fengchuan Industrial Area workshop in Tonglureal photos, with captions describing "what you see" rather than "what we claim." If you need white-background product images for catalogs / sample books / tenders,message us on WhatsApp: +86 186 5712 0011.
FAQ FAQ
How much price difference is there between GGD and GCS?
At the same capacity, GGD costs less than GCS 30–40%, but once a GGD is installed, changing a circuit means shutting down the cabinet and cutting power, while GCS drawers can be pulled out individually for maintenance. Which one to pick depends on whether your setup is "install and leave it" or "frequent circuit changes."
How do I choose between 800 / 1000 / 1200 cabinet widths?
It depends on the main busbar rating:below 630 A main bus, choose 800 mm; 1600 A, choose 1000 mm; above 2000 A, choose 1200 mm. Also consider the incoming/outgoing cable entry — for side-exit with bottom-in/bottom-out, cabinet depth must be at least 600 mm; for top-in/top-out, 800 mm depth is recommended.
Can I just send you a drawing and get a quote?
One drawing is usually not enough. We need to confirm: ① main incoming capacity ② number of outgoing circuits and loads ③ whether ATS / capacitor compensation / surge protection is required ④ enclosure material (powder-coated carbon steel / 304 stainless steel) ⑤ installation environment (indoor / outdoor IP rating). Provide these 5 items and we will quote within 24 hours.MOQ 1.
Which is more expensive, MNS or GCS? Why?
At the same specification, MNS costs more than GCS 15–25%, with the gap mainly in: ① profile fabrication (MNS uses 25 mm module C-profile, GCS uses 20 mm module) ② drawer interchangeability (MNS drawers interchange between cabinets with higher precision) ③ door hinges and lock details.
Does a dual power transfer cabinet need a bypass?
It depends on the application:fire pump roomsmust have it (if both main and backup fail, power cannot be cut);general plantscan go without it (cuts cost by 30%+);data centersmust have it (power cannot be cut during bypass maintenance). The bypass is an "ATSR dual-bypass isolation" design with mechanical + electrical dual interlocking; the added cost is listed separately on the quotation.
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