Dielectric environment in high-voltage equipment
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33216/1998-7927-2025-295-9-76-80Keywords:
high-voltage equipment, sulfur hexafluoride, SF6, insulation, dielectric medium, SF6 gas alternative, fluoroketone, fluoronitrileAbstract
The article is devoted to the analysis of modern alternatives to SF6 in high-voltage equipment of power systems, with a focus on their electrical performance, safety, and environmental efficiency.
For a long time, SF6 has remained the primary dielectric medium in high-voltage power system equipment. However, considering its extremely long atmospheric lifetime and high global warming potential, governments have focused efforts on reducing emissions of this gas. In response, the industry has begun implementing SF6-free technologies in traditional applications, including switchgear, circuit breakers, and high-voltage lines or busbars.
SF6 is an inert and non-toxic gas that is of great importance for electrical switchgear used for the distribution and transmission of electricity worldwide. This equipment is placed at network nodes to interrupt short-circuit currents as soon as they occur. SF6 is a voltage-insulating gas that has three times better insulating properties than air, better than any other gas. It therefore allows the design of small, enclosed and gas-tight switchgear with a small footprint, which has recognized advantages in harsh environmental conditions and with limited space, such as in wind towers. SF6 currently has no cost-effective and energy-efficient alternative for switchgear above 52 kV, i.e. for use in the transmission network, where it is used due to its excellent current-interrupting capabilities.
Among the SF6-free solutions, gas mixtures based on fluorinated compounds with low climate impact stand out, particularly fluoro-nitrile (3M™ Novec™ 4710) and fluoro-ketone (3M™ Novec™ 5110). The use of these mixtures in gas-insulated equipment allows for a reduction of greenhouse gas emissions by more than 99% compared to SF6, while maintaining high electrical and operational performance. The article presents the key components of alternative gas mixtures and provides updated data on their performance, safety, and environmental effectiveness in modern power systems.
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