What is BS EN IEC 60480 - Re-use of sulphur hexafluoride about?
BS EN IEC 60480 is an international standard that discusses fluids for electrotechnical applications.
BS EN IEC 60480 provides criteria for the re-use of sulphur hexafluoride (SF6) and its mixtures after recovery and reclaiming from electrical equipment (e.g. for maintenance, at the end-of-life). Sulphur hexafluoride (SF6), nitrogen (N2), and carbon tetrafluoride (CF4) are gases commonly used for electrical equipment. Taking into account environmental concerns, particular attention is paid to reuse criteria for SF6 and its mixtures with N2 and CF4 for its use in electrical equipment.
Who is BS EN IEC 60480 - Re-use of sulphur hexafluoride for?
BS EN IEC 60480 on the re-use of sulphur hexafluoride is relevant to:
- Manufacturers of equipment such as electric machines, transformers, switchgear and controlgear, measuring instruments, protective devices, wiring systems, current-using equipment, insulated bushings, surge arresters
- Original equipment manufacturers (OEMs)
- Gas manufacturer
- Reclaiming and disposal companies
- Electrical engineers
- Quality control and testing personnel
- Regulatory bodies
Why should you use BS EN IEC 60480 - Re-use of sulphur hexafluoride?
Sulphur hexafluoride is used as an electrically insulating material in circuit breakers, cables, capacitors, and transformers.
BS EN IEC 60480 summarizes the main contaminants and their sources. As a result, you can improve evaluation and enhance appropriate risk mitigation measures to minimize incidents of leaks and incomplete evacuation, desorption, partial discharges, switching arc erosion, mechanical erosion as well as melting and decomposition of materials.
BS EN IEC 60480 provides several annexes on the description of the different methods of analysis, on by-products, on the procedure for evaluating the potential health effects from by-products, on cryogenic reclaiming of SF6, and on reclaiming recommendations.
Overall, compliance with BS EN IEC 60480 can help ensure safe and reliable means of reusing sulphur hexafluoride, that prevents any hazardous consequences on personnel, equipment and environment.
What’s changed since the last update?
BS EN IEC 60480:2019 supersedes BS EN 60480:2004, which is withdrawn. This edition includes the following significant technical changes with respect to the previous edition:
- Specifications for the re-use of SF6 have been confirmed
- Specifications for the re-use of SF6 mixtures, namely SF6/N2 and SF6/CF4 mixtures are included
- Annex C: Procedure for evaluating the potential effects on health from by-products of SF6 and its mixtures
- Annex D: Reclaiming recommendations
- Annex E: Cryogenic reclaiming of SF6