Introduction: The high global warming potential of SF6 gas has encouraged research for alternative gases and mixtures in order to address the environmental issues. In recent years, several mixtures of SF6 gas have been the subject of investigations by academics and manufacturers, including a large European project. However, these have led to a mere small incremental progress, and therefore, it is desirable to find an alternative gas to SF6 and remove it completely from future electrical power applications.

Research work initiated at Tokyo University in Japan has investigated the electrical insulation characteristics of CF3I gas, a gas which is widely used for fire extinguishing applications. It possesses the important physical and chemical properties of SF6, but has a much lower global warming potential. The project aims to establish the feasibility of using CF3I in high voltage switchgear applications and identify those areas which would require further work in order to achieve application.

Objectives: The project will establish the feasibility of trifluoromethyl iodide (CF3I) as an environmentally compatible alternative to sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) in high voltage switchgear applications and identify those areas which would require further work in order to achieve application.