Schneider Electric Launches Future-Ready SF₆-Free Primary Switchgear Technology

Schneider Electric, the global energy technology leader, unveiled its latest innovation, GM AirSeT, during ENLIT Europe 2025 at the Bilbao Exhibition Centre. This launch marks a major milestone in Schneider Electric’s commitment to decarbonizing electrical systems. 

A Strategic Milestone for Decarbonized and Resilient Power Infrastructure

As electrification speeds up across industries, the need for resilient and digitally connected electrical infrastructure is becoming increasingly important. Regulatory shifts—such as the EU regulation 2024/573 on fluorinated greenhouse gases—are pushing utility, industry, building, data center and infrastructure operators to adopt SF₆-free technologies.

With GM AirSeT, Schneider Electric expands its SF₆-free portfolio, already leading the market in secondary MV switchgear, going further into primary GIS applications, and offering a future-proof solution for grid operators, data centers, and electro-intensive industries.

"Our AirSeT portfolio is growing fast. With our new GM AirSeT range we can help large electricity consumers and grid operators decarbonize and stay ahead of upcoming EU regulations as they grow towards higher and higher ratings," said Melton Chang, EVP Power Systems at Schneider Electric.

This primary gas-insulated switchgear is SF₆-free, compact, and natively digital, designed for the most demanding applications. It is insulated with pure air—not a proprietary gas mix or an alternative fluorinated greenhouse gas. By eliminating the need for gas recycling and specialized handling, it reduces regulatory risks and lowers total cost of ownership. Its smart features also support scalable, condition-based maintenance strategies, helping customers address talent shortages and improve asset reliability.

Key Features and Benefits of GM AirSeT

• SF₆-Free Insulation: GM AirSeT uses pure air for insulation and vacuum for arc interruption, eliminating greenhouse gases and toxic byproducts. This ensures full compliance with future environmental regulations (EU) 2024/573 and simplifies end-of-life handling.
• Compact and Robust Design: Engineered for high-power applications and demanding environments, GM AirSeT features a sealed tank with insulated busbars that eliminate the need for on-site gas filling, and helps ensure reliable performance across extreme temperatures, altitudes, and humid conditions.
• Natively Digital Architecture: Equipped with embedded sensors for tank pressure and health of the breaking mechanism, GM AirSeT enables 24/7 monitoring and condition-based maintenance through Schneider Electric’s EcoCare services. This helps reduce downtime by up to 75% and maintenance activities by up to 40%.
• Enhanced Safety and Operational Efficiency: Operators benefit from intuitive interfaces, logical operation sequences, built-in safety interlocks, and remote and nearby control tools that allow safer interventions from outside the arc flash zone.

What Makes GM AirSeT Unique

This launch reinforces Schneider Electric’s commitment to leading the energy transition through sustainable, intelligent, and future-ready technologies. GM AirSeT is a key enabler for customers seeking to modernize their infrastructure while meeting environmental and operational goals, especially in primary applications with demanding environments where reliability, compactness, high ratings and digital capabilities are critical. 

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