Alternative Insulating Gases as SF6 substitute
Focus on the environment
Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) has been an indispensable insulating and arc quenching gas in the energy sector for over 50 years. It is characterised by its excellent dielectric stability and arc quenching properties. However, SF₆ has a high global warming potential with a GWP index of approx. 24,300 and an atmospheric lifetime of about 3,200 years, making it one of the most potent greenhouse gases known.
Background and necessity for the replacement
Due to the high environmental impact of SF6, there are political efforts to replace this gas with more environmentally friendly alternatives. Agreements and regulations such as the Kyoto protocol and other climate protection agreements and the EU F-Gas Regulation aim to reduce emissions of fluorinated greenhouse gases.
Alternative Insulating Gases
In recent years, several switchgear manufacturers have implemented eco-efficient solutions that can substitute SF6 in certain applications. These alternatives have a significantly reduced global warming potential. Our product lines for alternative arc quenching and insulating gases refer to the following gases or gas mixtures:
- CA – Technical Air (Dry Air, Synthetic Air, etc.): This solution uses purified or synthetically produced air of technical purity.
- C4 – An alternative gas mixture consisting of C4-FN fluoronitrile (C4F7N), carbon dioxide (CO2) or nitrogen (N2) and optionally oxygen O2, which has a significantly lower GWP.
- CO2 – gases of natural origin (NOG) with increased CO2 content of technical purity with oxygen (O2) and, if applicable, nitrogen (N2).
