SF6 gas recovery & handling equipment
SF6 gas handling and recovery equipment evacuates, filters, dries, stores and refills SF6 during maintenance without releasing it to the atmosphere. The Amperis range for the electrical sector includes recovery and service units that let teams open GIS and breakers, recover the gas for reuse and refill to the correct density — in line with the EU F-gas Regulation.
What it does and how it works
A service cart connects to the equipment, recovers the SF6 by pumping it down to a low residual pressure, filters and dries it to remove moisture and decomposition by-products, stores it in an internal tank or cylinders, and later refills the compartment to its rated density. The whole cycle is closed-loop, so emissions are minimised and the recovered gas can be reused once it meets the quality limits.
How to choose the right unit
- Size the unit to your gas volumes (storage capacity in kg, recovery flow).
- Check the achievable final vacuum (residual pressure after recovery).
- Look for integrated filtering and drying of moisture and by-products.
- Confirm compatibility with SF6 and SF6 mixtures.
- Consider built-in storage, weighing and automated cycles.
Specifying a recovery unit for your site? Do not hesitate to contact us.
Applications
- Breaker and GIS maintenance and repair
- Gas top-up to rated density
- End-of-life recovery and decommissioning
- Reuse and recycling workflows
Applicable standards
Amperis equipment supports the IEC/EN and EU framework (not national PN/PL designations):
- IEC 62271-4 — handling procedures for SF6 in switchgear
- IEC 60480 — quality limits for SF6 reuse after treatment
- Regulation (EU) 2024/573 — recovery duties; from 2035 only reclaimed/recycled SF6 for servicing
- IEC/EN 61010-1 — equipment safety
Frequently asked questions
Can recovered SF6 be reused?
Yes. After filtering and drying, gas that meets the IEC 60480 reuse limits can go back into service. From 2035 the EU F-gas Regulation allows only reclaimed or recycled SF6 for servicing existing equipment, so recovery is essential.
To what pressure should the gas be recovered?
Service units evacuate the compartment to a low residual pressure (the manufacturer typically specifies a few mbar) so that almost all the gas is captured and very little remains to be vented.
Do operators need certification?
Regulation (EU) 2024/573 requires certified personnel for SF6 handling and recovery, with Member State certification schemes in place by March 2027.
Technical resources
Pair recovery with SF6 gas analysers and SF6 leak detectors, or return to the SF6 overview and circuit-breaker testing. Request a quote.