Flyer · EN — Product flyer for the 3AV1 Blue Live Tank circuit breaker, which combines vacuum switching technology with clean-air insulation to deliver a zero-SF6, zero-F-gas high-voltage breaker rated up to 145 kV / 40 kA / 3,150 A. It highlights the environmental case (zero GWP, exemption from F-gas regulation and reporting), performance credentials (30 short-circuit interruptions, 10,000 rated-current operations, operation down to -60 °C, near-zero maintenance), a full technical ratings table with dimensions, and a life-cycle GWP comparison showing about 25 t CO2e saved versus the SF6-insulated 3AP1FG 145 kV equivalent.
The 3AV1 Blue Circuit Breaker brings clean-air technology to Siemens Energy's live tank breaker family, delivering high-voltage switching with zero SF6. The Blue concept pairs vacuum interrupter technology with clean-air insulation to eliminate fluorinated gases entirely from the switchgear.
As the energy industry pushes toward Net Zero, achieving Zero Global Warming Potential (GWP) in power transmission requires eliminating climate-hostile fluorinated gases (F-gases) — especially SF6 — from electrical switchgear. The EU has recently legislated restrictions on these gases, and the flyer anticipates a likely full ban in the coming years.
Clean-air insulation combined with vacuum switching technology is presented as the way forward: it relies on no greenhouse gases of any kind and does no harm to the environment. The clean-air technology in the Siemens Energy Blue portfolio is well proven and already operating worldwide, with the 3AV1 Blue live tank demonstrating that using zero F-gases means zero compromise on performance.
The flyer summarizes the benefit set as four 'Zeros': zero environmental impact (no SF6 or other F-gases, no greenhouse gas emissions, zero GWP); zero impact on health and safety (no toxic insulation gases or decomposition products, no special safety measures during maintenance, no gas disposal at end of life); zero regulation (no rules on gas handling, no reporting or accounting of gases, no F-gas training, no exposure to current and potential anti-PFAS legislation); and zero compromise on performance and reliability (high interruption counts, two-cycle current interruption, 10+ years of experience in high-voltage vacuum switching up to 145 kV, suitability for the lowest-temperature applications, near-zero maintenance).
The technology is long established: Siemens Energy has 40 years of experience producing medium-voltage vacuum interrupters for power networks up to 52 kV, a capability now extended to the high-voltage 145 kV level. Prototype breakers went into service at several sites in 2010, and series production of the 3AV1 has run since 2017, with over 150 units delivered worldwide.
Like all Siemens Energy circuit breakers, the 3AV1 LT is designed on a tried and tested modular platform: the operating mechanism, control system, base frame, kinematic chain, and insulator designs draw on decades of manufacturing and operating experience.
The 3AV1 delivers the performance and reliability levels customers expect from Siemens Energy circuit breakers: reliable making and breaking capabilities, 30 full short-circuit current interruptions, 10,000 rated current interruptions, optional 2-cycle current interruption, full performance down to -60 °C ambient temperature, and a zero-maintenance interrupter unit for its full lifetime. It is tested in accordance with IEC 62271-100, -110, and -310.
With zero F-gases and zero compromise on performance, the 3AV1 Blue Live Tank circuit breaker helps make a greener grid achievable.
The dimensional drawing shows a three-pole live tank arrangement with 1,700 mm pole spacing between adjacent poles, an interrupter/insulator column of 1,200 mm plus a 1,250 mm support insulator section, an overall column height of 3,279 mm above the base frame, a support structure of ≥1,890 mm height below the base frame, and an overall base width of 3,800 mm.
| Dimension | Value |
|---|---|
| Pole spacing (between poles) | 1,700 mm |
| Upper column (interrupter section) | 1,200 mm |
| Lower column (support insulator section) | 1,250 mm |
| Column height above base frame | 3,279 mm |
| Support structure height | ≥ 1,890 mm |
| Overall base width | 3,800 mm |
All values are in accordance with IEC; other values on request. The 145 kV rating is also available on request as a 145 kV 60 Hz circuit switcher in accordance with IEEE/ANSI.
Note: the printed flyer contains a unit typo in this table — 'Rated short-circuit breaking current, up to' is printed as '40 kV'; the correct unit is 40 kA, consistent with the 40 kA short-time withstand rating and the flyer's own headline figures.
| Parameter | Value |
|---|---|
| Rated voltage | up to 145 kV* |
| No. of operations at rated short-circuit breaking current (40 kA) | 30 |
| No. of interrupter units per pole | 1 |
| No. of operations at rated normal current (3,150 A) | 10,000 |
| Rated break time | 3 cycles and 2 cycles |
| Rated normal current, up to | 3,150 A |
| Rated short-time withstand current, up to | 40 kA |
| Rated short-circuit breaking current, up to | 40 kA |
| Rated frequency | 50/60 Hz |
| Rated power-frequency withstand voltage | 275 kV |
| Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage | 650 kV |
| Rated duration of short-circuit | 3 s |
| Rated peak withstand current (2.7 p.u.) | 108 kA |
| First-pole-to-clear factor | 1.5 / 1.3 p.u. |
| Capacitive voltage factor | 1.4 p.u. |
| Temperature range | -60 up to +55 °C |
| Maintenance schedule | 12 years: visual inspection and checks; up to 10,000 operations at 3,150 A |
| Insulating medium | clean air |
| Mass of fluorinated greenhouse gases / mass of CO2 equivalent | 0 kg / 0 t |
A life-cycle GWP chart compares the SF6-insulated 3AP1FG 145 kV with the clean-air-insulated 3AV1FG Blue LT 145 kV across the entire product life cycle, with the Blue LT saving about 25 t CO2e in total. In material, manufacturing, and transport, the SF6 breaker accounts for 6,585 kg CO2e versus 5,950 kg CO2e for the Blue LT. Over 40 years of operation, the SF6 breaker produces 27,598 kg CO2e versus 6,533 kg CO2e for the Blue LT. At end of life, the figures are -151 kg CO2e (SF6) versus -3,173 kg CO2e (Blue LT). The chart assumes GWP of insulation gas = 0 for clean air; GWP of power losses depends on the generation mix — for a renewable mix (e.g. hydro, wind) it is zero.
The comparison panel contrasts the two media: SF6 brings high environmental impact plus costs for special maintenance tools, special trainings, reporting and taxes, and gas recycling. Clean air has no environmental impact, is non-toxic and non-hazardous, and is maintenance-free, training-free, reporting-free, and gas-recycling-free.
| Life-cycle phase | 3AP1FG 145 kV with SF6 (kg CO2e) | 3AV1FG Blue LT 145 kV with clean air (kg CO2e) |
|---|---|---|
| Material, manufacturing, transport | 6,585 | 5,950 |
| Operation (40 a) | 27,598 | 6,533 |
| End of life | -151 | -3,173 |
The Siemens Energy Blue portfolio covers many more F-gas-free product lines and ratings beyond the 3AV1 Blue live tank; the flyer points readers to siemens-energy.com/blue-products to learn more.
Click any figure to enlarge.