Pilot technology for high-voltage and medium-voltage applications

ABB is committed to developing eco-efficient products which reduce use of resources and the effects on the environment throughout their lifecycle. The main insulation gas used in high and medium voltage switchgear is SF6 gas which has several important features. However, SF6 is a known greenhouse gas and while leakage rates are very low its lifecycle management requires careful handling for utility and industrial users and comes with some associated costs, particularly when decommissioning aging substations.

The fluoroketone-based SF6 alternative gas mixture is a chemical compound developed for switchgear applications by ABB in collaboration with 3M. It has a dielectric performance similar to SF6 when utilized in indoor applications, but with very low Global Warming Potential (GWP)*. The new gas mixture also has an adequate current interruption performance but in this respect SF6 is superior. Therefore it will be first deployed for applications with a nominal voltage up to 170 kV where typically short circuit currents are below 50 kA. The gas mixture is non-toxic and non-flammable.

Brief performance data