Insights / F-Gas
SF6 Switchgear Leak Checks: The 6 kg Exemption and How Often to Check
Does SF6 switchgear need periodic leak checks, and how often?
Article 5(1) of Regulation (EU) 2024/573 requires leak checks on equipment with 5 tonnes of CO2 equivalent or more, but switchgear is exempt where it has a tested leakage rate below 0,1 percent a year and is labelled so, or a pressure or density monitor with an automatic alert, or less than 6 kg of gas. Otherwise Article 5(6) sets the frequency: every 12 months below 50 t CO2 equivalent, every 6 months from 50 to 500 t, every 3 months from 500 t (24, 12 and 6 months with a leakage detection system). One kilogram of SF6 is 24,3 t CO2 equivalent (GWP 24 300).
What the act says
- Article 5(1): The three switchgear conditions that remove the leak-check duty.
- Article 5(6): The check frequency by CO2 equivalent.
- Annex I: SF6 has a GWP of 24 300: 4 kg is 97,2 t CO2 equivalent, 30 kg is 729 t.
- Article 7: Records of checks are kept for at least five years.
What to do
- Check each unit's label, monitor and charge before scheduling checks.
- Use the SF6 calculator below to get the CO2 equivalent and the interval.
Sources
- Regulation (EU) 2024/573 (F-gas Regulation) (CELEX 32024R0573)
Last checked against the act text on 2026-10-20. For information only, not legal advice.