Verifying SF6 quality on site in medium- and high-voltage switchgear and circuit breakers calls for a portable analyser that measures purity, moisture and decomposition products together, compares the result with IEC and CIGRE criteria and releases no gas to atmosphere. The Rapidox 6100 Portable measures up to eight gases simultaneously: SF6 purity from 0 to 100 % with ±0.5 %, dew point from −60 to +20 °C with ±2 °C, and SO2, HF, H2S and CO with ±2 % of full scale. It shows PASS or FAIL against the selected test, captures the sampled gas in a recovery bag and weighs 8.5 kg in its IP66 case with over 8 h of battery life.
SF6 calculator
Check whether the measured gas meets the IEC 60376:2018 and IEC 60480:2019 acceptance criteria and convert dew point to ppmv →Rapidox 6100 Portable key data
- SF6 purity: 0-100 % infrared sensor with ±0.5 % accuracy, 12-month calibration interval and a life span of more than 5 years.
- Moisture: polymer dew-point sensor from −60 to +20 °C (10-24,000 ppmV) with ±2 °C of reading, correctable to room temperature or 20 °C; the Rapidri system keeps it dry with molecular sieve, and the sensor goes from wet to −60 °C in under 10 min.
- Decomposition products: SO2 0-100 or 0-500 ppm, HF 0-10 or 0-30 ppm, H2S 0-100 ppm and CO 0-1,000 ppm, with electrochemical sensors of ±2 % of full scale.
- Mixtures: CF4 from 0 to 80 % (±1 % of reading), calculated by balance of the SF6 and air readings, and air/N2 from 0 to 100 %; up to eight gases in one instrument.
- Standard tests: pre-loaded IEC and CIGRE configurations, including IEC 60480 > 200 kPa, with PASS or FAIL shown on screen and printed, plus custom tests.
- Sampling: continuous or timed mode from 2 to 8 min (minimum 6 min with H2O), 100-1,000 ml/min flow, inlet pressure from 0.3 to 10 bar and an optional pump for gas below 0.5 bar.
- Zero emissions: the outlet nozzle connects to the gas recovery bag, which captures all the sampled SF6.
- In the field: 8.5 kg IP66 case, lithium battery for over 8 h charging at 90-260 V AC, 4 GB of logging (approx. one year), thermal printer and operation from −10 to +40 °C; CE marked to EN 61010-1 and EN 61326-1.
Advantages
Straightforward operation with results in minutes
Test set-up and start are handled from the 7″ (18 cm) colour touch screen, with soft menu keys and an alphanumeric keypad. All selected gases are measured and logged simultaneously, and a stable reading is obtained within a few minutes.
Up to eight gases with a single instrument
The modular architecture supports simultaneous analysis of up to eight compatible gases: SF6, H2O (dew point), SO2, HF, CF4, H2S, CO and O2/N2 (air), depending on the requested configuration. SF6 purity is measured with an infrared sensor over 0-100 % with ±0.5 % accuracy.
Testing without gas emissions
The gas outlet nozzle allows the analyser to be coupled to a recovery bag, so the sampled gas is captured in full rather than released to the atmosphere.
Faster moisture readings
Units equipped with an H2O sensor incorporate the Rapidri drying system, which reduces the waiting time between successive dew-point readings. A dedicated valve isolates the sensor when the instrument is not in use.
Standardised tests as delivered
Current IEC and CIGRE test configurations come pre-installed and custom parameters can be defined. Results are printed on site with the integrated thermal printer or exported in MS Excel-compatible format via USB memory stick.
Applications
- Maintenance of GIS cells and circuit breakers in MV and HV substations.
- Commissioning and acceptance testing of electrical equipment to IEC and CIGRE criteria.
- Zero-loss sampling in installations where the analysed gas must be recovered.
About the product
The internal pressure of the sample is recorded together with the readings, and test locations and user names are editable, with password protection. Bespoke sensor combinations are available on request.
The equipment is housed in a heavy-duty IP66 case with a total weight of 8.5 kg. The lithium battery provides over 8 h of autonomy and charges on any mains voltage.
Available accessories: calibration kit, gas recovery bag and self-sealing couplings.
Technical specifications
| Measured gases | SF6, H2O, SO2, HF, CF4, H2S, CO, O2/N2 — up to 8 simultaneously |
| SF6 purity | 0-100 %, ±0.5 % |
| Moisture | −60 °C to +20 °C dew point (10-24,000 ppmV) |
| Battery life | Over 8 h |
| Max. inlet pressure | 10 bar (gauge) |
| Weight and protection | 8.5 kg, IP66 case |
| Sensor accuracy | SO2, HF, H2S and CO ±2 % FS; H2O ±2 °C dew point |
| Decomposition product ranges | SO2 0-100 or 0-500 ppm; HF 0-10 or 0-30 ppm; H2S 0-100 ppm; CO 0-1,000 ppm |
| Flow and sample time | 100-1,000 ml/min; timed mode 2-8 min (min. 6 min with H2O) |
Frequently asked questions
Which portable analyser is best for checking the SF6 in switchgear or a circuit breaker on site?
One that measures purity, moisture and decomposition products in the same test and gives a verdict against the standard. The Rapidox 6100 Portable measures SF6 from 0 to 100 % with ±0.5 %, dew point from −60 to +20 °C with ±2 °C and SO2, HF, H2S and CO with ±2 % of full scale, and with the pre-loaded IEC 60480 > 200 kPa test it displays and prints PASS or FAIL; it weighs 8.5 kg in its IP66 case.
How long does a test take and when is the pump needed?
In timed mode the Rapidox 6100 Portable samples for 2 to 8 min, with a minimum of 6 min when moisture is measured. With pressurised gas from the compartment it is enough to set the flow; the pump is only needed when the SF6 pressure is below 0.5 bar. The inlet accepts 0.3 to 10 bar.
Why does SF6 need to be analysed periodically?
SF6 is a greenhouse gas that must remain within a closed circuit. Early detection of moisture and decomposition products prevents outages and failures and reduces maintenance costs.
Is any gas lost during the test?
No. The analyser couples to a recovery bag that captures all the sampled gas.
Which test standards are included?
Current IEC and CIGRE configurations come pre-installed; custom tests can also be defined.
How are results documented?
Via the integrated thermal printer or by export to MS Excel-compatible format on a USB memory stick.
