UHF-Based Partial Discharge Diagnostics in SF6-Alternative Gases

The 2024/573 EU F-gas regulations impose strict conditions on future use of SF6 and F-gases or their mixtures with GWP higher than 1000. Therefore, many electricity utilities are adopting strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, which include restricting the usage of SF6 gas and replacing it with gases that not only possess the required insulating performance but also have a reduced GWP. For new transmission network equipment and installations, the focus is mainly on fluoronitrile based gas mixtures and atmospheric gases. However, this transition can introduce complexity in condition monitoring and defect diagnostic systems.