Top SF6-Free Switchgear Manufacturers in 2026: EU Ban & Buyer’s Guide

Beginning 1 January 2026, the European Union has prohibited the use of the new medium-voltage switchgear of a rating of up to 24 kV with reliance on fluorinated gas technology, unless exemptions may apply. Electricity utilities, contractors, and users in the industrial sector in Europe are now required to opt for products that do not involve sf6 gas in the development of their equipment for most new 12 kV and 24 kV projects. The practice can be expected to follow suit throughout the voltage levels in 2028, 2030, and 2032.

This guide aims to analyze the manufacturers of sf6 gas-free switchgear based on real products, track down the differences between medium- and high-voltage technologies, and compile a list of questions. The ratings that we provide will be based on the documentation from the manufacturers, and if some details have never been released, we will do our best to confirm it.

Who provides SF6-free switchgear? For medium voltage systems (up to 24 kV) we have passed established products such as Schneider Electric AirSeT and ABB SafeRing Air, SafePlus Air and UniSec Air, Siemens 8DJH24 blue GIS and Eaton Xiria while Lucy Electric (via Nuventura) also provides dry-air GIS up to 36 kV. For high voltage Siemens Energy, Hitachi Energy, GE Vernova and Mitsubishi Electric are some of the companies providing SF6-free alternatives. Please note that SF6-free does not mean F-gas-free, since some high voltage alternative options consist of gas mixtures containing fluorinated compounds (C4-FN) as well, which is important in EU legislation.

Which Devices are Considered SF6-Free Switchgear?

SF6 has a global warming potential (GWP) of around 24,300. Three methods are used to replace it:
– Insulation with dry or “clean” air: a gas compartment filled with the natural air components. It has a GWP of zero or less than one.
– Vacuum switching: the arc is interrupted between contacts in a sealed vacuum chamber. Gas switching does not occur.
– Solid-insulation: live parts that are enclosed in shaped insulating materials, such as epoxy.

SF6-Free Doesn’t Always Mean F-Gas Free Switchgear

A mention should be made of the fact that the fourth way is the use of a mixture of fluoronitrile (C4-FN, written also as C4F7N), together with CO2 and O2. According to the catalog of GE Vernova, the GWP of the mixture is about 560 against 24,300 of SF6. It is better, but C4-FN is still a fluorinated greenhouse gas. This means that in truth the device may be marketed as SF6-free while not being F-gas-free switchgear.

EU SF6 Switchgear Ban: What Regulation 2024/573 Actually Says

Article 13(9) of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 prohibits putting the following switchgear into operation:

Note that 52–145 kV (2028) comes before 24–52 kV (2030), and the medium-voltage points carry no GWP threshold, so a C4-FN mixture does not make a 24 kV unit compliant.

Starting to Use, Not Production of

The rule becomes active upon the use of switchgear in the European Union. It does not ban the production of SF6 switchgear, require removal of already existing equipment, or be effective outside of the EU territory. For example, the UK is not included under the EU law in this regard. Moving already operated switchgear to another EU location does not constitute using the equipment (Article 13(10)).

Exemptions

Past orders: the restriction is not applicable in the case where the operator has documents confirming that an order was placed prior to the 11th of March 2024 (Article 13(14)).
No proper bid: equipment with GWP below 1,000 can be utilized in case there is no bid with the compliant equipment after the tender procedure, or in the two first years after the date if the bid is provided by only one manufacturer (Article 13(11)). The use of equipment with GWP above 1,000 is possible only in the cases where bid with GWP lower than 1,000 was not received (Article 13(12)).
Extension: equipment extensions with lower GWP from those of existing switchgear are accepted unless other compatible options require full replacement of existing equipment (Article 13(15)).
Repair: the use of equipment parts for repair is permitted if it is done in such a way that there is no increase concerning the GWP of equipment and the amount of gas used (Article 13(18)).

Operators utilizing exemptions are obliged to have evidence of their operation for at least five years (Article 13(16)), and most of the time, need to inform the national authority in charge (Article 13(17)).

Top SF6-Free Medium-Voltage Switchgear Manufacturers

This list is not a market-share ranking. It covers manufacturers with documented F-gas-free product families relevant to the 2026 deadline.

Schneider Electric: AirSeT

Schneider Electric has integrated the pure-air insulation technology with the vacuum interruption system (Shunt Vacuum Interruption, SVI). The RM AirSeT series has all the ratings of electrical devices from 24 kV, 630 A up to 20 kA/1 sec in operation; the SM AirSeT series of modular secondary distribution gear has a rating of up to 24 kV. The GM AirSeT pure-air primary GIS introduced in November 2025 is rated up to 24 kV and 1250 A; some other versions are mentioned as pre-commercial and should be checked in the market.

ABB: SafeRing Air, SafePlus Air and UniSec Air

Both SafeRing Air and SafePlus Air work on dry air (GWP 0) and have a rating of up to 24 kV, 630 A, and 20 kA/3 sec. ABB intends to release its Air series having the rated voltage higher than 24 kV, reaching its maximum of 40.5 kV by the needed EU timing. UniSec Air is a modular air-insulated series with a rating of 24 kV, 630 A, and 20 kA, having its maximum rating of 1250 A and 25 kA with a withdrawable circuit breaker panel; its GSec Air switch-disconnector has been developed on the basis of dry air and vacuum interrupter technology.

Siemens: 8DJH24 Blue GIS

The 8DJH24 Blue GIS was presented to the clients in October 2024 and is the ring main unit for secondary distribution applications having the maximum voltage of 24 kV. Siemens claims that its inner construction is based on Clean Air insulation and switching is done by using a 3-position switch “blue switch” with vacuum interruption technology. Siemens inform that no fluorinated gases are present in the device. Available current and short time ratings can be found in Siemens catalog HA 40.6 instead of its product page.

Eaton: Xiria

Xiria is one of the first devices designed without SF6. Eaton gives rating of this device of up to 24 kV and 630 A at using vacuum circuit breakers and load break switches, insulated live parts of one pole and AFLR internal arc classification. Eaton states that no SF6 is used during operation.

Lucy Electric and Nuventura

On April 2, 2026, Lucy Group has consummated the acquisition of Nuventura, a company that is located in Berlin. Nuventura has created a 36 kV dry-air GIS intended for primary distribution and is developing a 24 kV device as well. Lucy does not publish information about the ratings and type test results of the acquisition, so one should apply for the datasheet and type test reports for further information.

High-Voltage SF6-Free Alternatives (A Separate Category)

There are different times of the EU for high-voltage equipment and it has also passed a test for GWP (<1). They should not be intermingled with the medium something like that.

Siemens Energy Blue: using clean air as insulation and vacuum switching between contacts, no F-gases are utilized. Among Blue GIS, already developed products are 72.5 kV 8VM1 and have 145 kV 8VN1, and until now no results have been achieved for 420 kV.
Hitachi Energy EconiQ: it has a rating of 145 kV, 3,150 A and 40 kA and operates on a mixture of CO2/O2 plus small amount of C4-FN; although it doesnt have SF6, C4-FN that has a GWP of 560 is still present in this.
GE Vernova g³: it has CO2-O2 and around 3% of C4-FN; F35g that functions up to 4,000 A and 63 kA cannot be compared with any other lines according to the specifications of compatibility with SF6. The range of products presented includes from 72.5 to 420 kV.
Mitsubishi Electric: dry air is used, where in-house vacuum interrupters are applied. They announced that in July 2024 they would supply Kansai Transmitters with 84 kV of dry air insulated equipment and this is expected to be delivered in March 2026.

Considering that the mixture of C4-FN has a GWP above 1 they need to apply Article 13(11) by 2028 as a must.

SF6-Free Switchgear Manufacturers: Technical Comparison Matrix

“None stated” means the maker describes the product as SF6-free or F-gas-free; still obtain a written gas declaration.

What Changed in the SF6-Free Market in 2026?

Two signals stand out: part of the high-voltage SF6-free market still depends on a fluorinated supply chain, and European TSOs expect SF6 and SF6-free equipment to coexist for years.

Where Do Chinese Manufacturers, Including RUY Power, Fit?

Many Chinese suppliers, RUY Power among them, build 12 kV equipment for markets outside the EU, where SF6 gear remains legal. Buyers should check each model rather than each brand:

• The SRM-12 ring main unit is an SF6 gas-insulated design. It is not suitable for new EU installations up to 24 kV without a valid derogation.
• The HBN-12 fully insulated RMU and the GN□-12 solid insulated switchgear are described as fully insulated or solid-insulated. Their insulation medium and F-gas content must be confirmed by engineering documentation before they are offered for an EU project.
• The KYN28-12 metal-armored switchgear is a separate design category: air-insulated, withdrawable and fitted with vacuum circuit-breakers. Any EU use would still require verification of the complete assembly, including all auxiliary components.

None of these should be called EU F-gas compliant until a gas declaration and the relevant IEC 62271 type-test reports are available. For broader supplier comparisons, see our guide to high-voltage switchgear manufacturers.

EU Compliance Procurement Checklist

1. Verify rated voltage as well as short-circuit ratings of the equipment to place it in correct range of Article 13(9) compliance.
2. Check the scheduled date for commissioning and in case the purchase is made before 11 March 2024.
3. Request written proof regarding each insulating and switching media regarding gas content and GWP.
4. Ask for type test results from independent laboratory to check compliance with IEC 62271-200 (MV), IEC 62271-203 (HV GIS) or any applicable standard.
5. Inspect internal arc classification and ambient temperature and altitude ratings since there may be different values for SF6 and air models.
6. In case of a derorgation, keep records about the purchase process and the proposals received for five years and report to the respective authority.
7. Confirm lead time, manufacturing location and local maintenance options for the purchased product family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is SF6 switchgear banned worldwide in 2026?

No. The 2026 restriction applies only to putting new medium-voltage switchgear up to 24 kV into operation in the EU, with derogations. Other regions set their own rules.

Is SF6-free switchgear the same as F-gas-free switchgear?

No. Dry air, clean air, vacuum and solid insulation are F-gas-free. C4-FN based mixtures are SF6-free but still contain a fluorinated gas.

Do existing SF6 installations have to be replaced?

No. The rule covers putting new switchgear into operation. Existing equipment can be repaired and serviced, provided the GWP and gas quantity do not increase.

Which sf6-free switchgear manufacturers cover 24 kV?

Schneider Electric, ABB, Siemens and Eaton publish product families up to 24 kV, and Lucy Electric (Nuventura) offers dry-air GIS at 24 and 36 kV.

References

• Regulation (EU) 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases, Article 13(9)–(18).
• Schneider Electric: SF6-free switchgear range and GM AirSeT launch.
• ABB SafeRing and SafePlus and ABB UniSec Air.
• Siemens 8DJH24 blue GIS.
• Eaton Xiria.
• Siemens Energy Blue high-voltage products.
• Hitachi Energy EconiQ GIS ELK-04 145 kV.
• GE Vernova F35 Dual Gas 170 kV brochure.
• Mitsubishi Electric: 84 kV dry-air insulated switchgear order.
• ENTSO-E Transmission Grid Investment and Supply Chain Assessment Report 2026.

Choosing the Right SF6-Free Technology

Start with the voltage class and the in-service date. For 12–24 kV projects in the EU, choose dry air, clean air, vacuum or solid insulation, because fluorinated mixtures do not meet the default rule. For 52–145 kV from 2028, compare clean-air vacuum designs against C4-FN mixtures and document the procurement route if you choose the latter. Outside the EU, SF6 gear may still be legal. To source 12 kV equipment, browse RUY Power’s ring main units and ask for model-specific gas declarations and test reports.