Answers / F-Gas
SF6 Switchgear Ban Dates by Voltage: 2026, 2028, 2030 and 2032
From when can SF6 switchgear no longer be put into operation in the EU, by voltage?
Article 13(9) of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 prohibits putting into operation switchgear that uses fluorinated greenhouse gases in its insulating or breaking medium: from 1 January 2026 up to and including 24 kV; from 1 January 2030 above 24 kV up to and including 52 kV; from 1 January 2028 above 52 kV up to and including 145 kV and up to 50 kA; from 1 January 2032 above 145 kV or above 50 kA.
What the Act Says
- Article 13(9)(a)
- 1 January 2026: medium voltage switchgear for primary and secondary distribution up to and including 24 kV. No GWP threshold.
- Article 13(9)(b)
- 1 January 2030: medium voltage above 24 kV up to and including 52 kV. No GWP threshold.
- Article 13(9)(c)
- 1 January 2028: high voltage above 52 kV up to and including 145 kV and up to 50 kA, gases with a GWP of 1 or more.
- Article 13(9)(d)
- 1 January 2032: high voltage above 145 kV or above 50 kA, gases with a GWP of 1 or more.
- Article 13(11)
- A medium with a GWP below 1 000 is still allowed where a tender for F-gas-free switchgear drew no bids, or, in the first two years after a band's date, bids from only one manufacturer.
What to Do
- Map each product line to its band by rated voltage and short-circuit current.
- Plan F-gas-free alternatives for each band before its date.
Calculator: SF6 CO2 equivalent, leak checks and ban date
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (F-gas Regulation) (CELEX 32024R0573)
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