Flyer · PL — Two-page Siemens Energy flyer (Polish edition, published by Siemens Energy Sp. z o.o., Warsaw, 2022) introducing the 8VN1 Blue GIS gas-insulated switchgear for voltages up to 145 kV. It combines a 145 kV vacuum circuit breaker — built on more than 40 years of medium-voltage vacuum interrupter experience — with clean air (80% N2 / 20% O2, GWP 0) as the insulating medium, making it an entirely F-gas-free high-voltage GIS with zero kg of SF6 on board. The flyer covers the EU 517/2014 F-gas regulatory context, the advantages of clean-air insulation (harmless emissions, no gas handling/recycling costs, no special personnel certification), key features, and a full technical ratings table: up to 3 150 A continuous current, 40 kA short-circuit breaking current, 108 kA peak withstand, 1 000 mm bay width, 4.7 t bay weight, -50 to +55 degrees C, first inspection after more than 25 years and expected service life over 50 years per IEC/IEEE standards.
Growing environmental awareness and expectations of efficient use of energy resources are placing new demands on emerging technologies. Under EU Regulation 517/2014, in force since 1 January 2015, users of fluorinated gases face additional obligations covering personnel training, reporting, labelling and handling, all aimed at minimizing F-gas emissions. In parts of the USA and in Korea, steps have also been taken toward a phased ban on SF6 equipment, to be replaced by alternative technologies available at each voltage level.
This situation creates new challenges for the electrical industry and demand for environmentally friendly products. Siemens Energy has developed innovative solutions using alternative technologies that enable easy, safe and fluorinated-gas-free transmission of electrical energy.
More than 40 years of experience in manufacturing medium-voltage vacuum circuit breakers enabled the use of a 145 kV vacuum circuit breaker in the 8VN1 switchgear. It meets the same high quality standards as the SF6 breakers it replaces: reliable making and breaking of currents; excellent switching capability for rated and short-circuit currents over the entire service life; a highly efficient, maintenance-free breaker operating mechanism; and universal availability and unlimited lifetime of the insulating medium.
The new 8VN1 145 kV switchgear combines the benefits of vacuum switching technology with the advantages of clean-air insulation.
The use of a vacuum circuit breaker made it possible to adopt clean air (technical air) as the insulating medium in GIS up to 145 kV. Siemens Energy was thereby the first to apply a technology completely free of fluorinated gases in high-voltage GIS, pursuing its goal of supporting environmentally friendly technology.
Clean air has a global warming potential (GWP) of 0. It consists of 80% nitrogen (N2) and 20% oxygen (O2), purified and dehumidified.
Although SF6 exhibits the best properties as an insulating and arc-quenching medium in GIS, the clean-air-insulated switchgear design meets the ecological goals of fluorinated-gas-free construction while retaining many other benefits.
Release of clean air to the atmosphere is harmless and carries no hazards, so the operator bears no additional costs for gas management and recycling. Operating the switchgear requires no special certifications or additional training of the kind required for SF6 switchgear.
World-leading, environmentally friendly and future-proof F-gas-free technology. Climate neutrality: zero global warming potential for both the insulating and the arc-quenching medium. Innovative, non-toxic clean-air insulation that reduces the carbon footprint. Compliance with future norms and standards for environmentally friendly insulating media.
Proven vacuum technology in the circuit breakers with a maintenance-free vacuum interrupter. Safe and easy operation requiring no special precautions or training, and high safety when performing switching operations. Low investment outlay over the whole life cycle, with no unknown follow-up costs from anticipated future legal regulations.
Ratings for the 8VN1 as printed in the flyer; other data available on request.
| Parameter | 8VN1 |
|---|---|
| Rated voltage | up to 145 kV |
| Rated frequency | 50/60 Hz |
| Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) | up to 275 kV |
| Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2/50 μs) | up to 650 kV |
| Rated continuous current — busbar | up to 3 150 A |
| Rated continuous current — feeder; bus coupler | up to 3 150 A |
| Rated short-circuit breaking current | up to 40 kA |
| Rated peak withstand current | up to 108 kA |
| Rated short-time withstand current (3 s) | up to 40 kA |
| Gas leakage per year and gas compartment (type-test confirmed) | < 0.1 % |
| Circuit breaker drive type | stored-energy |
| Rated operating sequence | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO / CO-15 s-CO |
| Arc-quenching medium | vacuum |
| Insulating medium | clean air (technical air) |
| Weight of SF6 or other fluorinated greenhouse gases | 0 kg |
| Rated filling pressure | 0.8 MPa (abs.) |
| Bay width (three-pole breaker drive) | 1 000 mm |
| Bay height, depth (configuration-dependent) | 3 200 mm |
| Bay weight (configuration-dependent) | 4.7 t |
| Operating temperature range | -50 °C to +55 °C |
| Installation | indoor / outdoor |
| First inspection | > 25 years |
| Expected service life | > 50 years |
| Standards | IEC / IEEE |
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