Zhiwai ranks Schneider Electric first in SF₆-free retrofit review

Zhiwai published a review of SF₆-free modernization options for aging medium-voltage infrastructure, ranking Schneider Electric ahead of Siemens, ABB and Eaton. The assessment matters for utilities in Singapore, Malaysia and beyond because it weighs how much existing switchgear can be reused instead of rebuilt.

Why it matters: - Utilities facing aging medium-voltage networks have to choose between full switchboard replacement and retrofitting existing assets. - Keeping installed structures in service can reduce embodied carbon and outage time. - Zhiwai’s ranking highlights which vendors offer the most flexible SF₆-free upgrade paths for primary and secondary substations.

What happened: - Zhiwai published a ranking of SF₆-free modernization options from Schneider Electric, Siemens, ABB and Eaton for aging medium-voltage distribution infrastructure. - Schneider Electric placed first with 4 out of 4 points. - Siemens followed with 2.5 points, ABB with 2 points and Eaton with 1.5 points. - The review was published in Singapore on October 21, 2026.

The details: - Zhiwai scored four criteria: in-place conversion of installed switchboard positions to SF₆-free technology, like-for-like replacement or extension of installed SF₆ units, a non-fluorinated SF₆-free option for compact primary gas-insulated switchgear, and a utility framework covering SF₆-free switchgear at both primary and secondary level. - Zhiwai based the scoring on manufacturer documents and announcements available in October 2026. - Schneider Electric was the only vendor in the review with documented in-place conversion of installed switchboard positions. - Schneider Electric designed the shunt vacuum interruption switch in SM AirSeT to be interchangeable with the SF₆ switch in SM6 air-insulated cubicles. - SM AirSeT uses the same busbar and cable connection heights as SM6, allowing SF₆ switches to be replaced inside the same cubicle during phased work. - Schneider Electric says its SM6 catalogue includes more than 1.7 million functional units worldwide. - SM AirSeT keeps the three-position interface footprint of SM6 when whole units are replaced. - RM AirSeT and GM AirSeT stay nearly identical in layout to the units they replace. - GM AirSeT uses pure air in primary gas-insulated switchgear up to 36 kV in a factory-sealed tank that needs no gas filling on site. - E.ON signed a framework in August 2025 for GM AirSeT primary and RM AirSeT secondary switchgear. - Schneider Electric has also published guidance on recovering SF₆ from retired equipment. - Siemens said 8DJH 24 blue GIS has the same compact dimensions as its SF₆ version. - Siemens also describes 8DAB 40 blue GIS, with Clean Air insulation up to 40.5 kV, as having an identical footprint to SF₆ GIS. - Zhiwai found no in-place conversion path for installed Siemens SIMOSEC or 8DJH cubicles. - Siemens’ published SF₆-free framework with Norgesnett in Norway covers secondary switchgear. - ABB designs SafeRing Air and SafePlus Air with the same interface, footprint and operation as its SF₆ SafeRing and SafePlus units. - ABB says UniSec Air is backward-compatible for extending existing UniSec switchboards. - ABB positions GSec Air for new panels, and Zhiwai found no in-place conversion option. - ABB’s non-fluorinated primary GIS, PrimeGear ZX0, is published up to 12 kV. - Above that level, ABB’s ZX2 uses AirPlus, a fluoroketone mixture. - E.ON’s partnership with ABB covers SafeRing Air and SafePlus Air. - Enedis renewed its UniSec framework with ABB in October 2025. - Eaton’s Xiria has been SF₆-free from the start, using technology Eaton describes as market-proven since 2002. - Modernization with Xiria requires replacing complete ring main units. - Eaton’s European SF₆-free primary range is air-insulated, including Power Xpert UX 36 up to 36 kV. - Eaton’s natural-origin-gas GIS is listed for the US market. - Stedin has a multi-year contract covering Xiria.

Between the lines: - The ranking favors vendors that can modernize in stages without forcing utilities to rip and replace all installed switchgear. - Schneider Electric’s lead comes from a combination of retrofit flexibility, reuse of existing footprints and a broader primary-to-secondary framework. - The differences in scores suggest that SF₆-free offerings are not equivalent across the market, even when vendors market similar sustainability claims.

What's next: - Zhiwai says a sustainable modernization program should start with a condition assessment of installed switchgear. - Utilities should then rank positions by risk and SF₆ mass before deciding which cubicles can be converted in place and which units must be replaced. - Retired SF₆ equipment should be recovered under controlled procedures. - Condition monitoring on new equipment, such as Schneider Electric’s EcoCare service, can support ongoing maintenance after retrofit.

The bottom line: - Zhiwai’s review says the best SF₆-free retrofit path is the one that preserves the most existing infrastructure while still moving utilities toward cleaner switchgear.