Spain, Bilbao: Schneider Electric has introduced a new SF₆-free primary switchgear technology, GM AirSeT, at ENLIT Europe 2025 in Bilbao. The launch reflects a shift in medium-voltage equipment design as the European Union moves toward the phase-out of fluorinated greenhouse gases under regulation 2024/573.
Industries and grid operators are seeing rising electricity demand and increasing pressure to reduce emissions. The new GM AirSeT technology is designed to support these requirements by removing the need for SF₆ gas while maintaining features expected in primary gas-insulated switchgear. The announcement expands Schneider Electric’s SF₆-free portfolio, which until now has mainly focused on secondary switchgear applications.
According to Melton Chang, Executive Vice President of Power Systems, the new equipment will help customers prepare for regulatory changes while increasing electrical capacity in demanding environments.
GM AirSeT uses pure air for insulation and vacuum for arc interruption. This eliminates greenhouse gas handling and simplifies end-of-life processes. The design includes a sealed tank with insulated busbars, removing on-site gas filling requirements and allowing the switchgear to operate under wide temperature and humidity conditions.
The technology is built with a digital architecture that includes embedded monitoring sensors for tank pressure and the breaking mechanism. These features allow users to apply condition-based maintenance strategies through Schneider Electric’s digital services, potentially reducing downtime and maintenance frequency.
The switchgear targets applications such as utilities, data centres, industrial facilities and infrastructure projects where compactness, reliability and regulatory compliance are increasingly important.
Source: Schneider Electric
