Switchgear reliability is built on how well current moves through a few critical surfaces. These are the functional zones, the points where conductors meet, where load transfers, and where even a fraction of a milliohm can decide whether heat rises or efficiency stays stable.
But in many parts of the industry, plating still follows a simple belief:
“If the entire part is plated, performance will improve.”
It sounds right, but it isn’t.
In switchgear components, plating the whole part doesn’t improve performance because current doesn’t use the entire surface. Only specific, high-load contact zones determine conductance, arc resistance, and heat behaviour. When these areas receive accurate, uniform silver thickness, the part performs exactly as it should.
This is where selective silver plating makes all the difference.
It protects the zones that carry load, prevents unnecessary material usage, and ensures every micron of silver supports actual electrical function. Instead of adding cost on non-functional surfaces, selective plating puts precision where it matters.
Uniformity across these contact points also matters more than anything else. A thin patch, uneven edge, or inconsistent adhesion can increase resistance and create hotspots under load. Selective plating allows tighter controls, better masking, and consistent deposition across these micro-critical areas.
At Sargam, this is the focus. We don’t plate more; we plate smarter.
We study the part, identify the functional contact area, understand the customer’s load and performance needs, and then design a selective plating process that aligns with actual electrical behaviour not assumptions.
For switchgear manufacturers, this translates into three clear advantages:
• dependable contact surfaces
• predictable heat rise behaviour
• and meaningful cost control without compromising performance
The strength of a switchgear contact doesn’t come from how much silver it holds, but where that silver is placed and how consistently it stays there. Selective plating ensures every micron has a purpose, nothing more, nothing less.