That transition requires a massive increase in electricity infrastructure to produce, transmit and distribute it, creating complex digital power grids that can cope reliably and sustainably. Trelleborg Sealing Solutions has start-of-the-art solutions critical to developing the grid capabilities required for tomorrow’s clean power.
Our high-performance solutions balance multiple requirements in challenging environments. Seals must be:
- Durable with a long service life
- Compatible with harmful insulating media
- Suitable for operating temperatures from -60 °C up to +150 °C/-76 °F to +302 °F
- Able to withstand mechanical deformation and damage from oxygen and ozone
Gas Insulated Electrical Switchgear
Traditionally sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) is used inside high-voltage switchgear circuit breakers as an insulating medium to extinguish dangerous arcing. SF6 has many advantages, but also has significant disadvantages, notably that it is the most potent greenhouse gas, with a global warming potential many thousands of times higher than CO2, illustrating the criticality of having effective & durable sealing.
Due to environmental concerns some governments control on emissions of SF6. Many electricity grids now use alternative media to prevent arcing, including air, oil, vacuum and CO2. Each type of media has unique attributes, but whatever the media employed durable sealing remains critical.
Trelleborg Solution
We support customers using all types of insulating media, working together to create optimal high-performance materials and configurations to protect switchgear and prevent emissions. Durable solutions are available for all media which limit the adverse effects of aging and seal deformation, including a range of PFAS-free materials.
Transformers
Transformers play a critical role in grid systems. They change voltages between different circuits, isolate circuits from each other and move electrical energy around the grid, ensuring safe transmission and distribution.
Transformers need to perform in diverse challenging environments including a wide temperature range from -60 °C up to +150 °C/-76 °F to +302 °F depending on the climate. Insulating liquids such as modern silicone and ester oils also provide a challenge to sealing materials.
Trelleborg Solution
We offer an array of solutions for covers, connections and bushings to meet all requirements in this challenging environment. In addition, our in-house test capabilities allow customers to perform validation on bespoke isolation fluids to specific requirements.