Alternate Insulating SF6 Gases
SF6 is an excellent quenching and insulating gas which has been used in the energy sector
worldwide for more than 50 years. The energy related development in the high and extra high
voltage range would have been impossible without the use of SF6 with its excellent dielectric
stability and good electric arc quenching properties.
However, due to its high greenhouse global warming potential with a GWP index of
approx. 22,800, SF6 is the most potent known greenhouse gas, with an atmospheric dwell time of
around 3,200 years. For this reason, Alternative Insulating Gases are found. Agreements and
regulations such as the Kyoto protocol, the EU F-gas regulation and the Paris climate protection
treaty of 2015 have one global goal in common: the reduction of F-gas emissions.
After several years of development, Industry has implemented these requirements and
several switchgear manufacturers have provided the solutions with Alternative Insulating Gases.
In certain applications for new units, SF6 gas is replaced with alternate gas in the high voltage
range also. These gases have a significantly reduced GWP value and therefore show a reduced
global warming potential.
Overview of “Alternative Gases” and Gas Mixtures
Eventhough all the efforts are taken to prohibit the use of SF6 gas, the proportion of SF6
in the atmosphere has risen continuously worldwide to over 10·10-12 mol
Although emissions has been steadily decreasing in recent years, the global share of SF6
in the atmosphere has continued to increase. The SF6 technology used in electrical equipment is,
largely optimised and further reduction at this point is only possible by replacing existing units
or systems with the latest generation or by using alternative technologies. When replacing the
units or systems, the focus should be on the sustainable use of SF6 by preparation or
reconditioning and reuse.
In countries like Europe and North America, the focus is on the Synthetic Air gas mixture
(Clean Air, Dry Air) and gas mixtures with the insulating gases 2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro-2-
propannitrile, commercially available under the names 3M™ Novec™ 4710 (referred as C4)
and 1,1,1,3,4,4,4-heptafluoro-3 butan-2-one, available under the name 3M™ Novec™
5110( referred as C5). All alternative gases and gas mixtures are called as Alternative Gases.
Novec™ is the registered trademark for special chemicals and gases of the 3M™
company. The syntheses of the chemicals C5 (chemical name: 1,1,1,3,4,4,4,-heptafluoro3-butan-
2-one) and C4 (2,3,3,3-tetrafluoro2-propannitrile) have been known since the 1960s for C5 and
1970s for C4. Contrary to the SF6 gas, C4 and C5 are used, due to their higher boiling points at
atmospheric pressure with additional carrier gases such as carbon dioxide (CO2 ) or nitrogen (N2
). Oxygen (O2 ) is often used as a component to reduce the production in case of arcing or
switching operations in switchgear. The concentrations of the carrier gas, are generally in the
range of 0 - 15 %
C4 and C5 Gas Mixtures :
In their pure forms, C4 is in a liquid state at pressures above 250 kPA and C5 is in a
liquid state at atmospheric pressure. In contrast, SF6 gas remains in a homogenous, gaseous state
in ambient conditions (>-50oC; <20barabs). In homogeneous state the medium has only one
aggregate state (gaseous, liquid or solid) and there is no partial liquefaction. Therefore, C4 and
C5 must be mixed with nitrogen or carbon dioxide as these gases require higher temperatures
and pressures for liquification. Mixing C4 and C5 with these carrier gases provides more
stability in ambient conditions. In extremely cold temperatures, there may be partial liquification
of specific components which would affect the mixing ratio and insulating capacity of the gas.
C4 or g3 (pronounced g-cubed) gas applications have the same compact design as
SF6 switchgear but with a 99% reduced global warming potential. C4 gas mixtures also have the
same electrical ratings as SF6 gas. Additionally, C4 products are able to operate in the same
temperature range as SF6 products, down to -30oC.
Extensive testing has been conducted on this gas mixture and found that the homogeneity
and composition of the gas remains stable over time. Another important quality of C4 is that it
has no voltage limitations.
Synthetic Air Applications:
Synthetic Air consists of a mixture of 20% oxygen and 80% nitrogen. Synthetic Air is
mainly used in vacuum switching technology up to and below 145 kV. Vacuum switching
technology has been around for decades and recent technological advances have allowed for a
reduced footprint in vacuum breakers closer to that of SF6 breakers. Synthetic Air remains
gaseous until temperature lower than -183 °C and remains in a homogenous state at room
temperature under high pressure. In this way, Synthetic Air and SF6 gas are similar in that they
remain in a homogenous, gaseous state under ambient conditions (> − 50 °C; < 20 barabs).
Synthetic Air is non-toxic and is not subject to any environmental regulations at this time.
Leaks and other faults in the operating procedure:
During operation of SF6 gas-filled plants, various faults in the operating procedure could
occur in the form of leaks or the formation of decomposition products after discharges. Special
attention must be paid to leaks in gas-insulated equipment with C4 and C5 mixtures. This is
because a precisely defined mixing ratio is usually specified to en-sure the proper use of such
mixtures in the gas compartment. The mixture itself is homogenised. However, uneven leakage
could occur depending on the nature of the leak (di‹usion through sealing material or even
substan-tial leakage). Similarly, in the event of a leak causing moisture and air to penetrate the
gas compartment, the percentage of C4 and C5 can be reduced such that it is no longer possible
to ensure the full insulating capacity of the mixture. If it is still possible to remove the moisture
that has penetrated with special filter systems designed for the alternative gas used, the oxygen
and nitrogen that have penetrated with the air cannot be removed. In the event of any devi-ation
from the concentration limits specified by the man-ufacturer for individual gas components, the
gas mixture should not be used any further in the equipment and complete replacement should be
Carbon monoxide (CO) can be considered as an indicator of the occurrence of discharges
and the presence of decompo-sition products in mixtures with C4 and C5. CO is a colourless and
odourless gas which can result from the incomplete combustion of carbonaceous substances,
