IEC 60376:2018 defines the quality for technical grade sulphur hexafluoride (SF ₆) and complementary gases such as nitrogen (N ₂) and carbon tetra-fluoride (CF ₄), for use in electrical equipment. Detection techniques, covering both laboratory and in-situ portable instrumentation, applicable to the analysis of SF ₆, N ₂ and CF ₄ gases prior to the introduction of these gases into the electrical equipment are also described in this document.
This document provides some information on sulphur hexafluoride in Annex A and on the environmental effects of SF ₆ in Annex B.
Information about SF ₆ by-products and the procedure for evaluating the potential effects of SF ₆ by-products on human health are covered by IEC 60480, their handling and disposal being carried out according to international and local regulations with regard to the impact on the environment. Handling of SF ₆ and its mixtures is covered by IEC 62271-4.
Procedures to determine SF ₆ leakages are described in IEC 60068-2-17.
For the purposes of this document, the complementary gases used in SF ₆ mixtures will be limited to N ₂ or CF ₄.
This third edition cancels and replaces the second edition published in 2005. This edition constitutes a technical revision.
This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
a) the requirements for the use of SF ₆ in electrical equipment have been confirmed;
b) a specification for complementary gases to be used in SF ₆ mixtures with N ₂ and CF ₄ has been included;
c) the introduction and scope have been merged;
d) a new repartition of the annexes of IEC 60376, IEC 60480 and IEC 62271-4 has been included.