Flyer · EN — Product flyer for the Siemens Energy 3AV1 Blue dead tank circuit breaker family (72.5–145 kV), an F-gas free breaker that combines vacuum interrupter technology with clean-air insulation (80% nitrogen, 20% oxygen) for zero global warming potential. It covers the environmental, health-and-safety and regulatory case for replacing SF6, full IEEE/ANSI ratings tables for five variants (72.5 kV/40 kA through 145 kV/63 kA, up to 3000 A continuous, 3/2-cycle break time, operation down to -60 °C), and dimensional drawings for each rating class.
The 3AV1 Blue is Siemens Energy's answer to F-gas free high-voltage power grids: zero F-gases and zero global warming potential. SF6, the insulating gas used in most modern gas-insulated equipment, has a global warming potential approximately 24,300 times that of CO2 — eliminating it removes both the emissions and the compliance burden that comes with it.
Siemens Energy developed a vacuum switching technology with clean-air insulation capable of reliable short-circuit interruption at voltage levels from 72.5 to 145 kV, with zero CO2 emissions over the lifetime of the equipment. The Blue circuit breaker family meets the same quality standards as the SF6 portfolio: reliable making and breaking capability, a high-performance maintenance-free operating mechanism, and highest availability and length of operation.
Vacuum technology also outperforms traditional breakers on several counts: 30 full short-circuit current interruptions, 10,000 rated current interruptions, optional 2-cycle current interruption, full performance down to -60 °C ambient temperature, a maintenance-free interrupter unit, and improved life-cycle costs.
Instead of SF6, the Blue generation uses clean air for insulation — 80 percent nitrogen and 20 percent oxygen. This insulation medium can be released into the atmosphere with zero harmful effects to people or the environment and no greenhouse-gas emissions or reporting.
Zero environmental impact: no SF6 or other F-/greenhouse-gas emissions, zero GWP.
Zero regulation: no gas reporting or accounting required (no gas cards needed), and no exposure to current or potential legislation against PFAS F-gases.
Zero impact on health and safety: no toxic insulation gases or toxic decomposition products, no special safety measures during maintenance, and no gas disposal required at end of life.
Zero compromise on performance and reliability: a high number of short-circuit and rated current interruptions, two-cycle current interruption, more than 40 years of experience in medium-voltage vacuum switching (more than 10 years in high-voltage applications), and suitability for low-temperature applications without heating systems.
CO2 neutrality is only achievable with a GWP of zero. Clean-air insulation combined with vacuum technology operates entirely without harmful greenhouse gases or any other hazardous F-gas, going well beyond common health and safety standards.
The Blue product line builds on Siemens Energy's proven modular platform, 150 years of industry experience, and an 11-year track record of vacuum outdoor operation. The 3AV1 Blue DT circuit breakers are tested in accordance with IEEE/ANSI standards.
Ratings for the five 3AV1 Blue DT variants, all in accordance with IEEE/ANSI; other values on request.
| Type | 72.5 kV / 40 kA | 123 kV / 40 kA | 123 kV / 63 kA | 145 kV / 40 kA | 145 kV / 63 kA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. of operations at rated short-circuit breaking current | 30 per phase | 30 per phase | 30 per phase | 30 per phase | 30 per phase |
| No. of interrupters per pole | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Rated continuous current (A, rms) | up to 3000 | up to 3000 | up to 3000 | up to 3000 | up to 3000 |
| Rated break time | 3/2 cycles | 3/2 cycles | 3/2 cycles | 3/2 cycles | 3/2 cycles |
| Rated short-circuit breaking current up to | 40 kA | 40 kA | 63 kA | 40 kA | 63 kA |
| Rated frequency | 50/60 Hz | 50/60 Hz | 50/60 Hz | 50/60 Hz | 50/60 Hz |
| Rated power frequency withstand voltage | 160 kV | 260 kV | 260 kV | 275 kV | 275 kV |
| Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage | 350 kV | 550 kV | 550 kV | 650 kV | 650 kV |
| Rated duration of short-circuit | 3 s | 3 s | 3 s | 3 s | 3 s |
| Rated peak withstand current (2.7 p.u.) | 108 kA | 108 kA | 170 kA | 108 kA | 170 kA |
| First pole to clear factor | 1.5 / 1.3 p.u. | 1.5 / 1.3 p.u. | 1.5 / 1.3 p.u. | 1.5 / 1.3 p.u. | 1.5 / 1.3 p.u. |
| Capacitive voltage factor | 1.4 p.u. | 1.4 p.u. | 1.4 p.u. | 1.4 p.u. | 1.4 p.u. |
| Temperature range | -60° C up to 50° C | -60° C up to 50° C | -60° C up to 50° C | -60° C up to 50° C | -60° C up to 50° C |
| Insulating medium | clean air | clean air | clean air | clean air | clean air |
| Mass of F-gas | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Global Warming Potential (GWP) Impact | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Front and side dimensional drawings for the 72.5 kV / 40 kA breaker. Key dimensions: shipping and installed length 153.5 in [3899 mm]; overall height 150.9 in [3832 mm]; live part to ground 128.1 in [3253 mm]; center of gravity 85.0 in [2159 mm]; bottom of cabinet 47.6 in [1210 mm]; base footprint 96.8 in [2459 mm] × 82.6 in [2098 mm]; shipping height 101.7 in [2582 mm]; side width 105.8 in [2687 mm].
The 123 kV and 145 kV variants (both 40 kA and 63 kA) share one dimensional envelope: shipping and installed length 164.0 in [4165 mm]; overall height 171.7 in [4362 mm]; live part to ground 147.9 in [3756 mm]; center of gravity 93.1 in [2365 mm]; bottom of cabinet 47.6 in [1210 mm]; base footprint 96.8 in [2459 mm] × 82.6 in [2098 mm]; shipping height 122.9 in [3121 mm]; side width 110.1 in [2796 mm]; pole spacing 77.2 in [1961 mm].
The Siemens Energy Blue portfolio covers many more F-gas free product lines and ratings beyond the 3AV1 Blue DT family.
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