SF6 gas analyzers
SF6 quality control for substations, GIS and transformers: purity, moisture and decomposition products. Rapidox line by Cambridge Sensotec.
Cambridge Sensotec manufacturer page →See also gas leak detectors →
SF6 analyzers and accessories
Rapidox 6100 C4-FN & C5-FK Multi-Gas Pumpback — Analyser for SF6-Alternative Gas Mixtures
Portable automatic pump-back analyser for C4-FN (g3, Novec 4710) and C5-FK (AirPlus, Novec 5110) mixtures with CO₂ and O₂. Purity, moisture and CO in 2–8 minutes with no gas released to atmosphere.
- 7" (178 mm) colour LCD touch screen
- 0–20 %, ±0.5 % (IR sensor)
Rapidox 6100 Clean Air Pumpback — Clean Air Insulation Gas Analyser
Portable pump-back analyser for Clean Air insulated equipment (N₂ and O₂ blend): composition, moisture and NO₂ in 2–8 minutes without the sample touching ambient air.
- 0–30 % O₂ / 0–100 % air, ±1 % FS (electrochemical)
- -60 to +20 °Cdp (10–24,000 ppmV), ±2 °Cdp
Rapidox 6100 QU4D Multi-Gas Pumpback — SF6, C4-FN, C5-FK and Clean Air Analyser
One portable pump-back analyser for four insulation types: SF6, C4-FN, C5-FK and Clean Air. Purity, moisture and decomposition products in 2–8 minutes, with IEC and CIGRE test configurations built in.
- SF6 + CF4; C4-FN + CO₂/O₂; C5-FK + CO₂; Clean Air (N₂ + O₂)
- SF6 0–100 %, ±0.5 % (IR or density)
Rapidox SF6 6100 Bench — Benchtop and Rack-Mount SF6 Analyser
Fixed SF6 analyser for laboratories, factories and test bays: benchtop or 19" rack. Purity, moisture and decomposition products, 4–20 mA and 0–10 V outputs, alarm relays, RS232/RS485 and Modbus.
- SF6 0–100 %, ±0.5 % FS
- -60 to +20 °Cdp, ±2 °Cdp
Rapidox SF6 6100 MK2 Pump Back — SF6 Analyser with Gas Return
Fully automatic zero-emissions SF6 analyser: purity, moisture and decomposition products in 2–8 minutes, then a compressor returns the gas to the equipment at up to 10 bar. Three calibrations for cold, warm and hot climates.
- SF6 0–100 %, ±0.5 % (IR or density)
- -60 to +20 °Cdp (10–24,000 ppmV), ±2 °Cdp
Rapidox SF6 6100 Portable — Portable SF6 Gas Analyser
Lightweight (8.5 kg) SF6 analyser for medium and high voltage GIS and breakers: purity, moisture and decomposition products, up to 8 gases at once. The sample is collected in a bag, not vented.
- SF6 0–100 %, ±0.5 % (IR)
- -60 to +20 °Cdp (10–24,000 ppmV), ±2 °Cdp
Rapidox SF6 Fixed Detection System — Permanent SF6 Leak Monitoring for Rooms
Continuous SF6 leak monitoring for GIS rooms and substations: an Oldham MX32 or MX43 panel with 1 to 8 OLCT-XPIR infrared detectors (0–2,000 ppm SF6), strobe and horn alarms.
- MX32 panel (1–2 detectors) or MX43 (1–8 detectors)
- Oldham OLCT-XPIR SF6, infrared, 4–20 mA, ATEX
Rapidox SF6 Gas Recovery Bag — Bag for Collecting SF6 After Analysis
80-litre bag for collecting SF6 after analysis: self-sealing couplings, 0.2 bar safety relief valve, heavy-duty PU-coated polyamide. Compatible with the Rapidox SF6 6100 Portable and Bench.
- up to 80 L
- max 0.24 bar; relief valve 0.2 bar; vacuum to -50 mbar
SF6 Hose Connection Kit - Insulating Gas Hose Connection Set
Universal RECTUS 21 adapter kit for connecting SF6 gas analyzers to Siemens, ABB, Hitachi, Schneider, GE and Mitsubishi equipment, in an impact-resistant IP65 case
- SF6 auxiliary equipment
- RECTUS 21 (Series 21) — industry standard
What is SF6 insulating gas?
SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) is an inert gas with exceptional dielectric properties widely used in the power industry:
- •High-voltage switchgear — as arc-quenching medium
- •Gas-insulated lines (GIL) — as insulation
- •Transformers — as cooling and insulating medium
- •Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) — for compactness and reliability
SF6-insulated electrical equipment types
High-voltage circuit breakers
SF6 quality control in 110kV, 220kV and 500kV switchgear. Arc discharge diagnostics and insulation condition assessment.
Medium-voltage switchgear
SF6 analysis in 6kV, 10kV and 35kV switchgear. Quality checks at commissioning and during planned maintenance.
Gas-insulated lines (GIL)
Insulation monitoring and leak detection in gas-insulated transmission lines. SF6 quality monitoring.
SF6-insulated transformers
SF6 quality analysis in transformers. Cooling and insulating medium control, failure prevention.
Gas-insulated switchgear (GIS)
Comprehensive GIS bay analysis. SF6 quality control, leak detection and chamber condition diagnostics.
Enclosed substations
Atmosphere monitoring in enclosed areas with SF6 equipment. Leak detection and personnel safety.
Benefits of SF6 quality control
Equipment safety
Moisture and contaminants reduce SF6 dielectric strength. Regular monitoring prevents equipment failures.
Failure prevention
Decomposition products (SO2, H2S) indicate arc discharges. Early detection helps prevent outages.
Standards compliance
IEC 60480 and CIGRE require regular SF6 quality control. Gas analyzers provide automated assessment.
Environmental safety
SF6 is a potent greenhouse gas (GWP 23,500). Minimizing emissions reduces carbon footprint.
Cost efficiency
SF6 is expensive (~$100/kg). Quality control minimizes losses and reduces operating costs.
Fast diagnostics
Portable analyzers deliver results in minutes. Laboratory analysis takes days or weeks.
Articles and applications
SF6, oxygen and transformer oil monitoring at power plants — Rapidox guides and companion methods
Industries and equipment
Applications catalog →Gas analysis and power plant articles
All articles →- Oxygen Depletion in Enclosed MV Switchgear: O₂ and SF₆ Monitoring at CHP Substations
- Clean Air and Oxygen in SF₆-Free Switchgear: Monitoring at CHP During the SF₆ Transition
- Vibration Monitoring of Power Transformer Cooling Auxiliaries at CHP Plants
- Transformer DGA at CHP: What to Add Beyond Oil Chromatography
- Integrated Monitoring of CHP Transformer Bays: Rapidox, Vibration and Ultrasound
SF6 gas analyzer FAQ
SF6 analyzer selection for your site
Specify equipment type (switchgear, GIS, transformer) — we will recommend Rapidox configuration and accessories for SF6 quality control.