An electric power distribution switchboard (1) in which one or more functional units are equipped with a switching device compartment (3) that integrates primary and secondary functions. Within the switching device compartment (3) are included, together with the switching device (37), the current and voltage sensors (36), the position sensors for interlocking, a human machine interface (HMI) and an Intelligent Electronic Device (IED) (4) and the related local configuration point (32) to configure the IED (4). The IED (4) realizes functional unit supervision, control, protection, communication and monitoring and acts as a concentrating point of functional unit information and decisions. The switchboard (1) of the invention further comprises power supply section, an I/O section and a communication system.