Devices, systems and methods are provided to improve communication of switch sensor and status signals between a medium voltage overheard switchgear and an intelligent electronic device (IED). A switchgear interface device is deployed proximally to a switchgear and/or junction box situated at a distal end of a utility pole. The switchgear interface device (SID) receives, processes and combines sensor signals and status signals from switches in the switchgear with metadata for transport as digital signals to an IED mounted at the other end of the utility pole. The cabling for sensor and status signals between the SID and the IED can be fiber or Ethernet. The digital signals can be formatted using the IEC61850 standard. The SID can have drive electronics and send open and close command signals to the switches to eliminate the need for a multi-pin connector cable for transport of switch power signals from the IED.