The switch board is basically an on/off switch with fuses and a disconnect.

Everything else in a switchboard is extra equipment. The are many extra instruments that are often included in a switch board, such as:

-          Motor controller

-          Amp charts

-          Back Spin Shunts

-          Surface Panel for Downhole Gauge

-          Instrument Transformers

-          SCADA

-          Surge Protection

-          Status beacons

The switchboard will provide a hard start to the ESP; as a result in shallow applications it is common to include a softstarter to reduce the inrush current.