Catalog · EN — Siemens Energy portfolio brochure for gas-insulated switchgear from 72.5 kV to 550 kV: the F-gas-free Blue GIS lines 8VM1 (72.5 kV wind applications) and 8VN1 (145 kV) with vacuum interruption and clean-air insulation, and the SF6-insulated 8D series 8DN8 (145/170 kV), 8DN9 (245 kV, offshore up to 300 kV) and 8DQ1 (245–550 kV) — with complete bay technical data, control, Sensgear monitoring, interruption principles, drive system, testing and installation.
The availability of electric energy is vital for economic development and quality of life, and demand is constantly increasing. A well-functioning transmission system is a necessary condition for reliable electric power supply; Siemens Energy supports customers worldwide along the entire chain of energy conversion with products, solutions and know-how for the transmission of electrical energy from one source. Circuit breakers are the central part of air-insulated (AIS) and gas-insulated (GIS) switchgear: mechanical switching devices which connect and break current circuits (operating currents and fault currents) and carry the nominal current in closed position.
Sustainability is the core of Siemens Energy's actions: the ambition is climate-neutrality in its own operations by 2030 and covering 100 % of its own electricity consumption from renewable sources by 2023. Sustainable means Zero SF6 gas, Zero F-mix-gases and Zero greenhouse gases. The Blue products with vacuum interruption and clean air insulation pave the way for climate-neutral high-voltage switchgear; the published 'Roadmap from Zero to Zero' targets a fully F-gas-free, climate-neutral Blue portfolio by 2030 across GIS, live-tank and dead-tank circuit breakers, instrument transformers and GIB back parts (all dates shown as production readiness, status August 2022).
The GIS portfolio comprises five product lines. In the brochure's overview table, 8DN8 is shown in two rating columns (145 kV and 170 kV class) and 8DQ1 in three (420 kV (245 kV), 420 kV and 550 kV), reproduced below as separate columns. The two Blue lines use vacuum interrupter technology with clean air as insulation medium; the 8D lines use the self-compression principle with SF6 insulation.
| Characteristic (up to) | 8VM1 | 8VN1 | 8DN8 (col 1) | 8DN8 (col 2) | 8DN9 | 8DQ1 (col 1) | 8DQ1 (col 2) | 8DQ1 (col 3) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rated voltage | 72.5 kV | 145 kV | 145 kV | 170 kV | 245 kV | 420 kV (245 kV) | 420 kV | 550 kV |
| Rated short circuit breaking current | 31.5 kA | 40 kA | 40 kA | 63 kA | 50 kA | 63 kA (80 kA) | 80 kA | 63 kA |
| Rated current busbar | - | 3150 A | 3150 A | 4000 A | 4000 A | 6300 A | 6300 A | 6300 A |
| Rated current feeder | 1250 A | 3150 A | 3150 A | 4000 A | 4000 A | 5000 A | 5000 A | 5000 A |
| Interrupter technology | vacuum | vacuum | self-compression principle | self-compression principle | self-compression principle | self-compression principle | self-compression principle | self-compression principle |
| Insulation medium | clean air | clean air | SF6 | SF6 | SF6 | SF6 | SF6 | SF6 |
The outstanding technical performance and low lifecycle costs of vacuum circuit breakers made them the preferred technology and led to a phase-out of SF6 in power networks up to 52 kV; Siemens Energy introduced the same proven technology to climate-neutral high-voltage applications in 2010. The 8VM1 Blue GIS is based on that F-gas-free technology, designed on a modular components platform concept, and is intended for on- and offshore wind turbine installations: increased wind turbine power is driving higher voltages within the wind turbine network to decrease current and cable losses, where compact, environmentally friendly gas-insulated switchgear with clean air as insulating medium makes an optimal contribution.
The brochure's technical tab summarizes the triple-zero proposition: Zero greenhouse gases (greenhouse- and F-gas-free insulation, no CO2e emissions); Zero global warming potential (no F-gas-regulated reporting, training or frequent density checks; minimized gas handling during operation and end of life — no gas recycling); Zero impact on environment, health and safety (no toxic insulation gas, no toxic decomposition products, no special safety measures required).
Technical data as printed ('Other values on request'):
| Characteristic | 8VM1 up to 72.5 kV / 31.5 kA |
|---|---|
| Rated voltage (up to) | 72.5 kV |
| Rated frequency | 50 / 60 Hz |
| Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) (up to) | 140 kV |
| Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2 / 50 µs) (up to) | 325 kV |
| Rated continuous current (up to) | 1250 A |
| Rated short-circuit breaking current (up to) | 31.5 kA |
| Rated peak withstand current (up to) | 85 kA |
| Rated short-time withstand current (up to 1 s) (up to) | 31.5 kA |
| Internal arc classification of HV cable compartments | IAC A FLR 31.5 kA, 1 s (acc. IEC 62271-200) |
| Leakage rate per year and gas compartment (type-tested) | < 0.1 % |
| Driving mechanism of circuit breaker | stored-energy spring |
| Rated operating sequence | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO |
| Interrupter technology | vacuum |
| Insulation medium | clean air |
| Weight of SF6 or other fluorinated greenhouse gases | 0 kg |
| Rated filling pressure | 0.56 MPa abs |
| GIS width (depending on GIS configuration) | up to 2935 mm |
| GIS height | depth (depending on GIS configuration) | 2430 mm | up to 1230 mm |
| GIS weight (depending on GIS configuration) | up to 2.6 t |
| Ambient temperature range | -30°C up to +45°C |
| Installation | Indoor |
| First major inspection | > 25 years |
| Expected lifetime | > 50 years |
| Standards | IEC / IEEE |
The 8VN1 Blue GIS up to 145 kV is based on the proven, environment-friendly technology free of F-gases, designed on a modular components platform concept, combining vacuum-switching technology with the advantages of clean air as insulation medium. The vacuum high-voltage circuit breakers for up to 145 kV outperform SF6 circuit breaker technology: reliable making and breaking capabilities; excellent interrupting performance at rated nominal current and rated short-circuit current; high-performance and maintenance-free operating mechanism; highest availability and long working life.
Technical data as printed, in two columns: with conventional current transformer (CT) and with low-power instrument transformers (LPIT). 'Other values on request'. Fidelity note: the filling pressure is printed with a decimal comma ('0,8 MPa abs').
| Characteristic | With conventional CT | With LPIT |
|---|---|---|
| Rated voltage (up to) | 145 kV | 145 kV |
| Rated frequency | 50 / 60 Hz | 50 / 60 Hz |
| Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) (up to) | 275 kV | 275 kV |
| Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2 / 50 µs) (up to) | 650 kV | 650 kV |
| Rated continuous current – busbar (up to) | 3150 A | 3150 A |
| Rated continuous current – feeder / bus coupler (up to) | 3150 A | 3150 A |
| Rated short-circuit breaking current (up to) | 40 kA | 40 kA |
| Rated peak withstand current (up to) | 108 kA | 108 kA |
| Rated short-time withstand current (up to 3 s) (up to) | 40 kA | 40 kA |
| Leakage rate per year and gas compartment (type-tested) | < 0.1 % | < 0.1 % |
| Driving mechanism of circuit breaker | stored-energy spring | stored-energy spring |
| Rated operating sequence | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO / CO-15 s-CO | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO / CO-15 s-CO |
| Interrupter technology | Vacuum | Vacuum |
| Insulation medium | Clean air | Clean air |
| Weight of SF6 or other fluorinated greenhouse gases | 0 kg | 0 kg |
| GWP Global Warming Potential | 0 | 0 |
| CO2 equivalent | 0 kg | 0 kg |
| Rated filling pressure | 0,8 MPa abs | 0,8 MPa abs |
| Bay width common pole drive | 1000 mm | 1000 mm |
| Bay height, depth (depending on bay arrangement) | 3200 mm x 5500 mm | 2900 mm x 3700 mm |
| Bay weight (depending on bay arrangement) | 6 t | 4.7 t |
| Ambient temperature range | -50°C up to +55°C | -50°C up to +55°C |
| Installation | indoor / outdoor | indoor / outdoor |
| First major inspection | > 25 years | > 25 years |
| Expected lifetime | > 50 years | > 50 years |
| Standards | IEC / IEEE | IEC / IEEE |
Replacing conventional instrument transformers with LPIT decreases size and weight — CT and VT weight drops from approx. 1,500 kg to 85 kg, with lower GIS bay dimensions and significantly less cabling. Network connections are simpler and safer: significantly reduced cabling with more thin cables, easier cable works, smaller cable ducts, and low signal levels for safe maintenance and operations. The failure rate is reduced because connection failures are less likely to occur.
LPIT also contributes to environmental protection (no SF6 gas in the LPIT — lower CO2 footprint if used with SF6 GIS), simplifies engineering, approval ('rating plate') and logistics (only one hardware variant for current and voltage measurements, uniform configuration — no approval needed at an early project status), and improves measurement behavior: wide dynamic range with no saturation effect in the multi-purpose current sensor, no magnetic losses and no ferro-resonance effects. Per the brochure, LPIT is also applicable for 8DN8 GIS types.
The 8D series of gas-insulated switchgear represents a highly successful product concept: since its introduction in 1968, Siemens has installed more than 24,000 bays worldwide, with well over 285,000 years of bay operation recorded. Intensive research, many years of system experience and continuous further development have led to today's generation of gas-insulated, metal-enclosed switchgear — a world leader in economic efficiency, high reliability, long service life, safe encapsulation, very high degree of gas-tightness, low life cycle and maintenance costs, easy access and ergonomic design, high availability, and reliable operation even under extreme environmental conditions.
The brochure gives two separate 8DN8 technical data tables (145 kV and 170 kV classes), combined below as two columns; row labels are identical in both. 'Other values on request'.
| Characteristic | 8DN8 up to 145 kV / 40 kA | 8DN8 up to 170 kV / 63 kA |
|---|---|---|
| Rated voltage (up to) | 145 kV | 170 kV |
| Rated frequency | 50 / 60 Hz | 50 / 60 Hz |
| Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) (up to) | 275 kV | 325 kV |
| Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2 / 50 µs) (up to) | 650 kV | 750 kV |
| Rated continuous current – busbar (up to) | 3150 A | 4000 A |
| Rated continuous current – feeder / bus coupler (up to) | 3150 A | 4000 A |
| Rated short-circuit breaking current (< 3 cycles) (up to) | 40 kA | 63 kA |
| Rated peak withstand current (up to) | 108 kA | 170 kA |
| Rated short-time withstand current (up to 3 s) (up to) | 40 kA | 63 kA |
| Leakage rate per year and gas compartment (type-tested) | < 0.1 % | < 0.1 % |
| Driving mechanism of circuit breaker | stored-energy spring | stored-energy spring |
| Rated operating sequence | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO / CO-15 s-CO | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO / CO-15 s-CO |
| Interrupter technology | Self-compression principle | Self-compression principle |
| Insulation medium | SF6 | SF6 |
| Bay width common pole drive | 800 mm | 1000 mm |
| Bay width single pole drive | 1200 mm | 1200 mm |
| Bay height, depth (depending on bay arrangement) | 2600 mm x 4100 mm | 2600 mm x 4100 mm |
| Bay weight (depending on bay arrangement) | 4.5 t | 6 t |
| Ambient temperature range | -30°C up to +55°C | -30°C up to +55°C |
| Installation | indoor / outdoor | indoor / outdoor |
| First major inspection | > 25 years | > 25 years |
| Expected lifetime | > 50 years | > 50 years |
| Standards | IEC / IEEE / GOST | IEC / IEEE / GOST |
The 8DN9 extends the proven 8D concept to onshore system voltages up to 245 kV and offshore system voltages up to 300 kV, with the same hallmark qualities as the rest of the 8D series: economic efficiency, high reliability, long service life, safe encapsulation, very high gas-tightness, low life cycle and maintenance costs, easy access and ergonomic design, high availability and reliable operation under extreme environmental conditions.
Technical data as printed. The rated voltage carries the footnote: 'for offshore applications up to 300 kV available'. 'Other values on request'.
| Characteristic | 8DN9 up to 245 kV / 50 kA |
|---|---|
| Rated voltage (up to) | 245 kV* |
| Rated frequency | 50 / 60 Hz |
| Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) (up to) | 460 kV |
| Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2 / 50 µs) (up to) | 1050 kV |
| Rated continuous current – busbar (up to) | 4000 A |
| Rated continuous current – feeder / bus coupler (up to) | 4000 A |
| Rated short-circuit breaking current (< 3 cycles) (up to) | 50 kA |
| Rated peak withstand current (up to) | 135 kA |
| Rated short-time withstand current (up to 3 s) (up to) | 50 kA |
| Leakage rate per year and gas compartment (type-tested) | < 0.1 % |
| Driving mechanism of circuit breaker | stored-energy spring |
| Rated operating sequence | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO / CO-15 s-CO |
| Interrupter technology | Self-compression principle |
| Insulation medium | SF6 |
| Bay width | 1500 mm |
| Bay height, depth (depending on bay arrangement) | 3700 mm x 5100 mm |
| Bay weight (depending on bay arrangement) | 7.5 t |
| Ambient temperature range | -25°C up to +55°C |
| Installation | indoor |
| First major inspection | > 25 years |
| Expected lifetime | > 50 years |
| Standards | IEC / IEEE / GOST |
The 8DQ1 is the top end of the 8D series, sharing the same proven product concept and qualities. The brochure gives three technical data tabs — '8DQ1 up to 245 kV / 80 kA', '8DQ1 up to 420 kV' (itself two columns: 63 kA and 80 kA) and '8DQ1 up to 550 kV / 63 kA' — combined below as four columns. 'Other values on request' on all three.
Fidelity notes preserved from the print: the 245 kV column lists the rated switching impulse withstand voltage row with no value (printed '-'), rated frequency '60 Hz' only, and standards 'IEEE' only; the 550 kV column's lightning impulse row is printed without the '(1.2 / 50 µs)' qualifier; the 550 kV ambient temperature range is printed '-25°C up to +55°C (indoor) / -30°C up to +55°C (outdoor)'.
| Characteristic | 8DQ1 up to 245 kV / 80 kA | 8DQ1 up to 420 kV / 63 kA | 8DQ1 up to 420 kV / 80 kA | 8DQ1 up to 550 kV / 63 kA |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rated voltage (up to) | 245 kV | 420 kV | 420 kV | 550 kV |
| Rated frequency | 60 Hz | 50 / 60 Hz | 50 / 60 Hz | 50 / 60 Hz |
| Rated short-duration power-frequency withstand voltage (1 min) (up to) | 460 kV | 650 kV | 650 kV | 740 kV |
| Rated lightning impulse withstand voltage (1.2 / 50 µs) (up to) | 1050 kV | 1425 kV | 1425 kV | 1550 kV |
| Rated switching impulse withstand voltage (250 / 2500 µs) (up to) | - | 1050 kV | 1050 kV | 1175 kV |
| Rated continuous current – busbar (up to) | 6300 A | 6300 A | 6300 A | 6300 A |
| Rated continuous current – feeder / bus coupler (up to) | 5000 A | 5000 A | 5000 A | 5000 A |
| Rated short-circuit breaking current (< 2 cycles) (up to) | 80 kA | 63 kA | 80 kA | 63 kA |
| Rated peak withstand current (up to) | 216 kA | 170 kA | 216 kA | 170 kA |
| Rated short-time withstand current (up to 3 s) (up to) | 80 kA | 63 kA | 80 kA | 63 kA |
| Leakage rate per year and gas compartment (type-tested) | < 0.1 % | < 0.1 % | < 0.1 % | < 0.1 % |
| Driving mechanism of circuit-breaker | stored-energy spring | stored-energy spring | stored-energy spring | stored-energy spring |
| Rated operating sequence | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO / CO-15 s-CO | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO / CO-15 s-CO | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO / CO-15 s-CO | O-0.3 s-CO-3 min-CO / CO-15 s-CO |
| Interrupter technology | Self-compression principle | Self-compression principle | Self-compression principle | Self-compression principle |
| Insulation medium | SF6 | SF6 | SF6 | SF6 |
| Bay width | 2200 mm | 2200 mm | 3600 mm | 3600 mm |
| Bay height, depth (depending on bay arrangement) | 3800 mm x 5800 mm | 3800 mm x 5800 mm | 4800 mm x 10000 mm | 4800 mm x 10000 mm |
| Bay weight (depending on bay arrangement) | 11 t | 11 t | 21 t | 21 t |
| Ambient temperature range | -30°C up to +55°C | -30°C up to +55°C | -30°C up to +55°C | -25°C up to +55°C (indoor) / -30°C up to +55°C (outdoor) |
| Installation | indoor / outdoor | indoor / outdoor | indoor / outdoor | indoor / outdoor |
| First major inspection | > 25 years | > 25 years | > 25 years | > 25 years |
| Expected lifetime | > 50 years | > 50 years | > 50 years | > 50 years |
| Standards | IEEE | IEC / IEEE / GOST | IEC / IEEE / GOST | IEC / IEEE / GOST |
The control components at the GIS include operating mechanism control for circuit breaker, disconnector, earthing switch, high-speed earthing switch and combined 3-position switches, plus the first interface cubicles for voltage transformer and current transformer when primary components are mounted at the GIS.
The basic variant includes all control and monitoring elements needed for operating these devices: switching operation counter (only for single-phase operated switchgear), minimum number of auxiliary switch contacts, alarms, blocking of circuit breaker control in case of gas loss, signals for protection (ready for autoreclosing, blocking of autoreclosing, gas lockout signal); control, tripping, motor and heating power supplies can be selected by the customer. Optional variants add a maximum number of auxiliary switch contacts, tripping of the circuit breaker before blocking in case of gas loss, and provision of sensors for gas density, circuit breaker monitoring and point-on-wave switches. Special customer-adapted solutions are subject to offer clarification.
While monitoring equipment can already provide a lot of information, Sensgear goes beyond common asset management and supports active management of the grid: the gas-insulated switchgear or circuit breakers transmit their current status in near-real time via an online application, facilitating qualified decision-making and optimized grid management — more flexibility, more economic operation and a reduction of unplanned downtime. The brochure also references Sensgear Edge and controlled-switching options with PSD and with SICEA01 controlled contacts.
Beneficial applications: preventive detection of suspicious and critical assets (reducing the risk of unplanned outages); early warning and push notification on mobile devices before it gets critical; reduced manhours with less traveling and gas controlling at site; cost savings for unplanned gas leakage repairs; less risk contingencies and penalties for SF6 emissions; mechanical lifetime trending and projection; fleet coverage in a unified manner; artificial-intelligence-powered analysis; and comprehensive visualization tools to support further decision making.
Vacuum interruption: vacuum interrupters form the backbone of the 3AV1 blue portfolio. Based on more than 40 years of experience in the medium-voltage range and more than 6 million delivered vacuum interrupters, Siemens Energy introduced this proven technology to high-voltage power networks in 2010. Distinctive features: high reliability due to the hermetically tight vacuum interrupter; no toxic materials or decomposition products; perfect for low temperatures with no liquefaction of the switching medium; high performance, low arc energy and very low erosion during switching (excellent interruption performance, e.g. high numbers of current interruptions for rated and short-circuit currents); no maintenance due to sealed-for-life technology; no greenhouse gas usage or emissions. The interrupter comprises insulating envelope, fixed contact, movable contact and bellow. The brochure also covers clean air insulation and the self-compression and dynamic self-compression principles used by the SF6 lines.
Drive system: the operating mechanism is a central part of high-voltage circuit breakers. The drive concept of the 3AP circuit breaker family is based on the patented stored-energy spring principle and is identical on all types; its use for voltage ranges up to 1100 kV became appropriate through the development of a self-compression interrupter unit requiring minimal actuating energy. Both closing and opening springs are located inside the operating mechanism — a simple, sturdy device with a minimized number of moving parts. Roller bearings and a maintenance-free charging mechanism are prerequisites for reliable operation over decades; proven design principles such as vibration-isolated latches and load-free isolation of the charging mechanism were retained. The compact design allows the stored-energy spring mechanism to be placed within the control cubicle in a compact housing. Labeled components: switching rod, trip coil CLOSE, charging gear, opening latch, connecting rods for opening and closing springs, trip coil OPEN, opening spring, closing spring.
Quality begins in development: switching performance, high-voltage stability and performance under normal mechanical loads (wind and short circuits) as well as seismic conditions are simulated and optimized in the outline design phase using digital twins. The use of shared parts and assembly units across live tank, dead tank and GIS breaker types leads to high-volume standardization of the main components; steady production volumes enable statistical quality control with high validity.
All circuit breakers are completely type-tested in accordance with the latest IEC, ANSI and other standards before market launch. The lead factory in Berlin hosts one of the most modern testing laboratories, accredited according to IEC 17025, part of the European network of the independent testing organization PEHLA and a member lab of the Short-Circuit Testing Liaison (STL). Facilities include basic research and vacuum switching, high-voltage, high-power, mechanical and temperature-rise testing laboratories.
GIS for voltage ratings from 72.5 kV up to 170 kV can be transported fully pre-assembled and routine-tested; all higher ratings are dismantled into compact, clear and space-saving subassemblies for transport, which can quickly be installed into a complete GIS substation. Depending on the bay design, bay termination needs to be assembled; on the secondary side, bay-to-bay cabling and interfacing to the substation control and protection system are required.
Siemens Energy provides complete installation and commissioning on site. Uncomplicated work procedures, detailed installation instructions and the use of relatively few special tools allow easy and rapid installation of the switchgear by the customer's own personnel under the guidance of an experienced Siemens Energy supervisor; if required, personnel can acquire the necessary know-how in a special training program.
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