Touch Screen Controlled SF6 Handling Equipment: Optimizing Maintenance for Small-Volume GIS

In the power industry, small-volume Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) has become a core component in urban distribution networks, new energy projects, and industrial power supply systems due to its compact structure and space-saving design. However, the maintenance of SF6 (sulfur hexafluoride) – the key insulating gas in GIS – has long been a challenge. Traditional SF6 handling equipment is often bulky, requires complex manual operation, and struggles to adapt to the narrow installation space of small-volume GIS. This gap has driven the development of touch screen controlled SF6 handling equipment for small-volume GIS – a solution that combines intuitive operation with precision, revolutionizing small-volume GIS maintenance.

1. The Urgent Need for Specialized SF6 Handling in Small-Volume GIS

Small-volume GIS differs from large-scale GIS in its compact cabinet design, which reduces installation space but also limits access for maintenance tools. Traditional SF6 handling equipment, with its complicated button panels and large footprint, faces two critical issues here:

First, manual operation relies on skilled technicians to adjust parameters (e.g., SF6 recovery pressure, inflation speed), leading to low efficiency and high error rates – even minor miscalculations can cause SF6 waste or insufficient insulation, threatening GIS safety.

Second, the equipment’s size makes it hard to maneuver in narrow spaces (e.g., indoor distribution rooms or containerized GIS stations), prolonging maintenance downtime. For power operators, these pain points increase operational costs and raise risks of unplanned outages.

Touch screen controlled SF6 handling equipment addresses these challenges by tailoring design and functionality to small-volume GIS, filling the market’s need for a compact, user-friendly solution.

2. Core Advantages of Touch Screen Controlled SF6 Handling Equipment

The biggest breakthrough of this equipment lies in its touch screen control system, which transforms how technicians interact with SF6 handling processes. Its key advantages include:

Intuitive Operation, Reduced Training Costs

The high-definition touch screen features a graphical interface that visualizes core functions – such as SF6 recovery, purification, inflation, and leak detection – with icon-based controls. Unlike traditional button panels that require memorizing complex workflows, technicians can complete operations (e.g., setting target inflation pressure) with just a few taps. This reduces training time for new staff by 50% or more, lowering labor costs for power companies.

Precision Control, Minimizing SF6 Waste

SF6 is a potent greenhouse gas, and its efficient use is both an environmental requirement and an economic priority. The touch screen system integrates real-time sensors that monitor SF6 pressure, purity, and flow rate, displaying data in real time. Technicians can set precise parameters (e.g., 0.4MPa inflation pressure for 10kV small-volume GIS) via the touch screen, and the equipment automatically adjusts to avoid over-inflation or under-recovery. Field tests show this reduces SF6 waste by 30% compared to traditional equipment.

Compact Design, Adaptable to Narrow Spaces

To match small-volume GIS’s installation environment, touch screen controlled SF6 handling equipment uses a modular design, with a total volume of less than 0.8m³ – 40% smaller than traditional models. It is equipped with universal casters for easy movement in narrow aisles or indoor stations, and its detachable hoses (with lengths up to 5 meters) allow connection to GIS terminals without disassembling surrounding components. This cuts maintenance time from 8 hours (traditional) to 4 hours for a single small-volume GIS unit.

3. Application Scenarios and Industry Value

This equipment has proven its value in multiple power scenarios:

Urban Distribution Networks: Small-volume GIS is widely used in urban subway stations and residential areas. The touch screen equipment’s portability allows maintenance teams to complete SF6 handling without disrupting traffic or power supply to residents, improving service reliability.

New Energy Projects: Wind and solar power plants often use containerized small-volume GIS. The equipment’s dustproof and waterproof touch screen (IP65 rating) adapts to outdoor environments, ensuring stable SF6 handling even in harsh weather.

Industrial Power Supply: Factories with compact power rooms rely on small-volume GIS for continuous production. The equipment’s automatic data logging (via the touch screen) simplifies compliance with safety regulations, as technicians can export maintenance records with one tap for audit purposes.

From an industry perspective, touch screen controlled SF6 handling equipment for small-volume GIS aligns with two key trends: decarbonization (by reducing SF6 emissions) and digitalization (by integrating with power management systems). Many models now support wireless data transmission – the touch screen can sync maintenance data to a cloud platform, allowing remote monitoring by dispatch centers. This not only improves efficiency but also lays the groundwork for smart grid development.

As small-volume GIS becomes more prevalent in the power industry, the demand for specialized, user-friendly SF6 handling solutions will only grow. Touch screen controlled SF6 handling equipment solves the core pain points of traditional tools – complex operation, large size, and low precision – by combining intuitive touch control with compact design. It not only reduces maintenance costs and improves safety but also contributes to environmental protection and digital transformation. For power companies looking to optimize small-volume GIS maintenance, this equipment is no longer an option but a necessity. As technology advances, future models may integrate AI-based fault prediction via the touch screen, further elevating its role in smart power maintenance.