A survey on the potential of CF3I gas as an alternative for SF6 in high voltage applications

Sulphur hexafluoride (SF₆) has widely been used as an insulator in gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) applications. But due to the fact that it is a greenhouse gas, many researchers have been trying to find alternative solutions for it. Furthermore, SF₆ produces highly toxic and corrosive substances when it is subjected to electrical discharges. Trifluoroiodomethane (CF₃I) has recently been regarded as a candidate for replacing SF₆. CF₃I has been used as a fire suppressor and now many investigations have been carried out throughout the world to assess its capability in high voltage applications. This paper surveys this previous work and identifies some of the properties which are relevant to high voltage applications.