Sulfur hexafluoride SF6

This article deals with the sulfur hexafluoride in high voltage applications for electrical insulation and electrical arc distinguishing when circuit breakers, ground switches, and disconnectors are operated. Sulfur hexafluoride (SF
₆
) is a colorless, odorless, non-toxic and non flammable gas. It is an extremely stable gas with high dielectric strength and excellent arc quenching properties making it an ideal for use in gas insulated substations (GIS). Virtually all substations being built today use SF
₆
for circuit breakers and every GIS station relies on SF
₆
for insulation. At the same time, SF
₆
has been identified as a potent greenhouse gas, 22,500 times more effective at trapping infra-red radiation than an equivalent amount of CO
₂
. There are no statutory requirements in the U.S. limiting the usage of SF
₆
, but there are voluntary governments and private corporate program initiatives to better manage SF
₆
with the aim of reducing emissions.