The operational and maintenance (O&M) ledger for medium-voltage switchgear is being rewritten. In the past, while SF₆ gas-insulated equipment offered stable performance, it necessitated decades of recurring expenditures-covering routine gas pressure checks, leak detection, gas replenishment, and the procurement and disposal of specialized gases. Today, SF₆-free solutions-utilizing dry air as the insulating medium and vacuum technology for current interruption-are driving these costs down.
Where are the savings?
The inspection burden associated with traditional SF₆ switchgear stems from the management of the gas itself: calibrating density relays, recording pressure gauge readings, conducting annual leak checks, performing gas replenishment, and navigating the complex processes for procuring and disposing of specialized gases. Air-insulated equipment eliminates this entire set of requirements by design-the gas compartments are sealed but maintained at atmospheric pressure. There is no need for pressure monitoring, no on-site gas handling, and O&M personnel do not require specialized gas-handling certifications. By removing the need to manage an insulating medium, an entire chain of costs is eliminated.
The multiplier effect of digitalization
Further cost reductions stem from replacing "scheduled inspections" with condition-based monitoring. By integrating sensors with backend diagnostic systems, maintenance requirements can be reduced by up to 40%. The logic is straightforward: sensors continuously collect data on mechanical characteristics and partial discharges, allowing the system to assess the equipment's actual health. This shifts the maintenance strategy from "servicing on a fixed schedule" to "servicing only when necessary," thereby curbing both unplanned downtime and excessive, unnecessary maintenance.
Hidden benefits
Air-insulated technology also offers advantages in terms of regulatory compliance. As the European Union's F-gas regulations tighten, requirements for tracking, recovering, and certifying personnel who handle SF₆ equipment are becoming increasingly stringent. SF₆-free solutions allow companies to proactively bypass these administrative costs. Since no gas is involved throughout the equipment's entire lifecycle, there is no risk of penalties for leaks, nor are there concerns regarding carbon quotas.
A 40% reduction in inspection costs is the tangible figure, but the underlying shift is a fundamental change in O&M philosophy: moving away from "managing the gas" and returning to the core task of "managing the equipment itself."
Shaanxi West Power Tongzhong Electrical Co., Ltd.
Our address
No.1 East Gaoxin Avenue, High-tech Development Zone, Baoji City, Shaanxi Province, China
Phone Number
+86 18091765882(WhatsApp/Wechat/facebook)
