A monitoring and control system is provided having a control device, arranged in a central controller room, which provides commands to power distribution panel switch gear located in the field. The switch gear transmits and receives controlling and monitoring signals through wireless communication applying an evanescent mode. The switch gear has a power circuit connected to a plurality of devices to be operated. The switch gear is a panel comprising metal and non-metal surfaces, so that a portion of wireless waves in the evanescent mode travel out of the panel. A receiver is provided for monitoring the wireless waves that travel out of the panel. The wireless signals are compared with information stored in a diagnostics database, and are diagnostically evaluated to determine whether the signals are within a known normal operating range.