HZM's R-AIR Ushers in a Greener Era for Switchgear Insulation

Beyond SF6: HZM's R-AIR Ushers in a Greener Era for Switchgear Insulation

Subtitle: Discover how Hertzman (Hangzhou) Power Technology Co., Ltd. (HZM) is leading the charge towards sustainable grid infrastructure with its dry air-insulated switchgear.

(Image Suggestion: Visual contrast between traditional SF6 equipment and the cleaner, more compact R-AIR design. Alternatively, a close-up of the R-AIR sealed air tank.)

The power industry faces a critical challenge: balancing the need for reliable, compact switchgear with growing environmental responsibilities. For decades, Sulfur Hexafluoride (SF6) – a potent greenhouse gas with a global warming potential thousands of times higher than CO2 – has been the dominant insulation medium in Gas-Insulated Switchgear (GIS) and Ring Main Units (RMUs). Recognizing the environmental imperative and future regulatory landscapes, Hertzman (HZM) has pioneered a breakthrough solution: the R-AIR Air-Insulated Switchgear. This technology marks a significant leap towards sustainable power distribution, proving that high performance and eco-consciousness can coexist.

The SF6 Dilemma: Performance vs. Planet

SF6 offered undeniable advantages: excellent dielectric strength enabling compact designs and reliable arc quenching. However, its environmental impact is severe:

• Extreme Global Warming Potential (GWP): SF6 has a GWP of 23,500 times that of CO2 over a 100-year horizon.

• Long Atmospheric Lifetime: Once released, SF6 persists in the atmosphere for up to 3,200 years.

• Leakage Risks: Potential leaks during manufacturing, installation, maintenance, and end-of-life disposal contribute significantly to emissions.

• Regulatory Scrutiny: Facing increasing global restrictions (e.g., EU F-Gas regulations) and industry initiatives (e.g., EU's aim to restrict SF6 in new MV equipment from 2026).

R-AIR: HZM's Sustainable Answer

HZM's R-AIR technology directly addresses the SF6 dilemma by utilizing a readily available, inherently safe, and completely eco-friendly alternative: Clean, Dry Air at Atmospheric Pressure.

• The Core Innovation: Sealed Air Tank: The heart of R-AIR is a robust, hermetically sealed stainless steel enclosure (IP67 rated) filled simply with processed dry air. This eliminates the need for SF6 or any other fluorinated gas.

• Environmental Credentials:

• Zero GWP: Dry air has a GWP of zero.

• Zero Ozone Depletion Potential (ODP).

• Non-Toxic: Presents no health hazards during handling or in case of accidental release.

• Simplified End-of-Life: No complex gas recovery or disposal procedures required.

• Maintaining Performance & Safety: While air has a lower inherent dielectric strength than SF6, HZM overcomes this through:

• Optimized Tank Design: Careful engineering of electrode shapes, surface finishes, and precise clearances within the sealed tank maximizes air's insulating capability.

• Vacuum Interruption: Like its SF6 counterparts, R-AIR utilizes advanced Vacuum Interrupters for reliable arc extinction during switching operations (load breaking, fault clearing). This ensures high performance for RMU applications.

• Full Safety Compliance: R-AIR meets all critical safety and performance standards for switchgear (e.g., IEC 62271-200, GB standards), including dielectric withstand (e.g., 42kV AC/75kV BIL @12kV) and internal arc containment (rated for ≥20kA/0.5s).

• Compactness Achieved: Through efficient design within the sealed tank, R-AIR achieves a footprint comparable to many SF6-based RMUs, making it suitable for space-constrained secondary distribution applications.

R-AIR: Designed for Real-World Grid Needs

HZM's R-AIR isn't just a lab concept; it's a practical solution engineered for diverse grid applications:

• Ring Main Units (RMUs): The primary application, providing safe, reliable feeder switching, sectionalizing, and transformer protection in distribution networks.

• Versatile Functional Units: Configurable with various modules:

• V: Circuit Breaker unit (e.g., VHZ4 integrated)

• C: Load Switch unit

• D: Busbar unit

• VL: Bus tie breaker

• G: Isolation unit

• PT: Voltage Transformer unit

• M: Metering unit

• ATS: Dual Power Supply unit

• T: Transformer unit

• +: Cable side outlet variants

• Key Technical Specifications (Example @12kV):

  Parameter	Unit	Value
  Rated Voltage	kV	12
  Insulation Medium		Dry Air
  Interrupter		Vacuum
  Rated Current	A	630 / 1250
  SC Breaking Current	kA	20 / 25
  SC Making Current	kA	50
  Short-time Withstand	kA/s	20/4 or 25/4
  Peak Withstand	kA	50
  Power Freq Withstand	kV	42 (Phase-Ground)
  Lightning Impulse	kV	75 (Phase-Ground)
  Internal Arc (IAC)	kA/s	≥20/0.5
  Enclosure Protection		IP4X (Cabinet), IP67 (Tank)
  Mechanical Life		≥5000 (Load Switch), ≥10000 (VCB)
  Control Voltage	V	DC 48/110/220

• Reliability & Longevity: Sealed tank design protects internal components from humidity, dust, and pollution, enhancing long-term reliability with minimal maintenance (virtually "sealed for life"). Rated for a service life ≥40 years.

Operational & Safety Benefits Beyond Environment

• Simplified Logistics: No SF6 handling equipment, gas cylinders, or specialized gas handling personnel required for installation or maintenance.

• Reduced Safety Risks: Eliminates risks associated with SF6 decomposition products (toxic byproducts formed during arcing).

• Compliance Confidence: Future-proofs investments against increasingly stringent environmental regulations targeting F-gases.

• DAVIDCLOUD Integration: Like other HZM intelligent devices, R-AIR can be equipped with sensors and communication interfaces for seamless integration into the DAVIDCLOUD platform, enabling remote monitoring and predictive health insights.

Leading the Charge Towards SF6-Free Grids

HZM's development and deployment of R-AIR technology represent a significant commitment to sustainable innovation. It demonstrates that the industry can move beyond its reliance on SF6 without compromising the critical requirements of safety, reliability, and compactness demanded by modern power grids. R-AIR provides utilities, commercial developers, and industrial operators with a viable, high-performance, and genuinely environmentally responsible solution for secondary distribution networks.

Conclusion: A Breath of Fresh Air for the Grid

HZM's R-AIR is more than just switchgear; it's a statement of environmental responsibility backed by robust engineering. By harnessing the simplicity and safety of dry air within a meticulously designed sealed tank and leveraging proven vacuum interruption, HZM offers a compelling, sustainable alternative to SF6-based equipment. For organizations committed to reducing their carbon footprint and building future-proof grid infrastructure, R-AIR stands as a pioneering solution, paving the way for a cleaner, greener era in power distribution.

Explore R-AIR: The Sustainable Switchgear Choice: Learn more about specifications and environmental benefits at www.hertzmanpower.com (Products > Ring Main Units (RMU) > R-AIR).