The distribution box is classified according to the structural features and purposes:

(1) Fixed panel type switch cabinet, often called switch board or distribution panel. It is a kind of open type switch cabinet with panel barrier, with protective function on the front, and it can still touch the electrified part on the back and side, with low protection level. It can only be used for centralized power supply in the substation for industrial and mining enterprises with low requirements for power supply continuity and reliability.

(2) Protective (i.e. closed) switch cabinet refers to a low-voltage switch cabinet with all sides closed except the installation surface. The switch, protection, monitoring and control and other electrical components of the cabinet are all installed in a closed enclosure made of steel or insulating material, which can be reliably installed on or off the wall. Each circuit in the cabinet can be isolated without isolation measures, or with grounded metal plate or insulating plate. Generally, the door is mechanically interlocked with the main switch operation. In addition, there is a protective platform type switch cabinet (i.e. console), on which control, measurement, signal and other electrical appliances are installed. The protective switch cabinet is mainly used as the power distribution device at the process site.

(3) Drawer type switch cabinet. This kind of switch cabinet is made of steel plate with closed shell. The electrical components of the incoming and outgoing circuit are installed in the withdrawable drawer to form a functional unit that can complete a certain kind of power supply task. The functional unit is separated from the bus or cable by the grounded metal plate or plastic functional plate, forming three areas of bus, functional unit and cable.

• There are also isolation measures between each functional unit. Drawer type switch cabinet has high reliability, safety and interchangeability. It is a relatively advanced switch cabinet. At present, most of the switch cabinets are drawer type. They are suitable for industrial and mining enterprises and high-rise buildings that require high reliability of power supply, as the distribution center of centralized control.

(4) Power and lighting distribution control box. Most of them are closed vertical installation. Due to different use occasions, the protection level of the shell is also different. They are mainly used as power distribution devices in the production site of industrial and mining enterprises.