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C-GIS CGC-12 SF6 Gas-Insulated RMU

CGC-12 gas-insulated ring main unit is a compact SF6-insulated switchgear designed for 12kV three-phase distribution networks. This C-GIS solution features a sealed stainless steel tank filled with SF6 insulating gas, housing all primary live parts for protection against environmental contaminants. Rated for 12kV operation with IP65 enclosure protection, this RMU is specifically engineered for coastal and desert environments where high humidity, salt spray, and sand ingress are common challenges. The maintenance-free sealed pressure system requires no gas handling throughout its service life, making it a reliable choice for utility secondary distribution, renewable energy connections, and infrastructure projects in harsh climatic conditions.

Overview
Applications
Technical Data
Services
Quality Control
Recommended Products

C-GIS CGC-12 SF6 Gas-Insulated Ring Main Unit - 12kV, IP65 Sealed

C-GIS CGC-12 is a compact gas-insulated ring main unit in which the load break switches, earthing switches and busbar are sealed inside a hermetically welded stainless steel tank filled with SF6 at 0.04-0.05 MPa. It delivers the same ring-network switching function as an air-insulated cabinet in roughly half the footprint, and with a level of environmental protection that air insulation cannot match.

WHY SEALED CONSTRUCTION WINS IN THESE MARKETS
In an air-insulated panel, the insulation medium is the air inside the cabinet - so its dielectric strength depends on keeping that air clean and dry. Dust deposits, salt fog, condensation and insect ingress all degrade it, and in Gulf and coastal African installations that degradation is measured in years, not decades. The C-GIS removes the variable entirely: the active parts live in a sealed tank at controlled gas pressure, isolated from the outside environment for the whole service life. The enclosure is rated IP65 - dust-tight and protected against water jets - which is why this technology is specified for coastal substations, desert sites subject to shamal sandstorms, below-grade chambers and flood-prone locations.

SEALED FOR LIFE - NO GAS HANDLING
The tank is sealed for a service life exceeding 20 years with no refilling and no routine gas work. There is no annual top-up, no gas handling equipment on site and no specialist gas technician required. In markets where local maintenance capability is limited, a sealed pressure system that needs no intervention is a significant operational advantage over equipment that assumes skilled periodic servicing.

Buyers in the EU and Eastern Europe should weigh this against F-Gas obligations: SF6 is a fluorinated greenhouse gas subject to reporting, leak-checking and end-of-life recovery requirements. Where those obligations are the deciding factor, the air-insulated HXGN-12 is the appropriate alternative.

THREE-POSITION SWITCHING AND MODULARITY
Each load break switch offers Closed, Open and Earthed positions from a single interlocked mechanism, giving a positive earth with no separate device. Configurations run from two to five switch units in any combination of load break switch, fuse-switch and vacuum breaker cells. Cable connection is by fully screened plug-in elbow connectors rated 200A, 400A or 630A, so there is no exposed live metal at the cable interface - the unit is touch-safe even at ground level in public areas.

MARKET FIT
Serves 11kV Middle East and African networks and 10kV Russian, CIS and Eastern European networks, with 50Hz and 60Hz verification. Stainless steel tank construction resists the salt-laden atmosphere of Gulf coastal and West African installations.

Typical Applications

PRIMARY APPLICATIONS
- Urban underground cable ring feeders on 10kV and 11kV networks.
- Coastal substations exposed to persistent salt fog - Gulf coastline, West and East African seaboard.
- Desert and arid-region installations subject to sand and dust ingress, where air-insulated panels degrade.
- Below-grade and basement substation chambers, including flood-risk locations.
- Residential and commercial complex substations where footprint is constrained and public access is possible.
- Industrial park and free-zone distribution ring networks.
- Solar PV and wind farm medium voltage collection, particularly in desert and coastal siting.
- Water utility, desalination and pumping station feeders across Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar and Kuwait.
- Pad-mounted and kiosk substations serving housing developments.

WHY SPECIFIERS CHOOSE C-GIS OVER AIR-INSULATED
Space: roughly half the footprint of an equivalent air-insulated lineup, decisive in dense urban and basement locations.
Environment: IP65 sealed, unaffected by dust, humidity, salt fog and condensation.
Safety: fully screened cable connectors and a sealed tank mean no exposed live parts.
Maintenance: no gas handling, no internal cleaning, no dielectric degradation from the environment.

REGIONAL FIT
- Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Kuwait, Oman: coastal and desert conditions make sealed construction the technically superior choice. Saudi projects verified at 60Hz. Subject to SEC, DEWA and KAHRAMAA material approval.
- Africa: coastal Nigeria, Kenya, Tanzania and Ghana, plus flood-prone urban areas.
- Russia and CIS: 10kV urban networks, available in GOST 15150 climatic versions.
- Eastern Europe: 10kV networks, though buyers should confirm their position on F-Gas obligations before selecting SF6.

NOT SUITABLE FOR
Applications where SF6 is prohibited by client policy or F-Gas compliance burden is unacceptable - specify HXGN-12 air-insulated instead. Systems above 12kV - specify the 24kV RMU variant.

Technical Data

TECHNICAL DATA - C-GIS CGC-12 SF6 Gas-Insulated RMU

Category	Item	Specification
Compliance	Standards	IEC 62271-200, IEC 62271-103
Electrical Ratings	Rated voltage	12 kV
	Rated frequency	50 Hz / 60 Hz
	Power-frequency withstand (1 min)	42 kV
	Lightning impulse withstand (BIL)	75 kV peak
	Rated normal current — load break switch	630 A
	Rated normal current — busbar	630 A
	Short-circuit making current	40 kA peak
	Short-time withstand current	16 kA / 20 kA for 1 s
	Load break switch breaking capacity	630 A
	Optional VCB module breaking capacity	20 kA / 25 kA
Gas System	Insulation medium	SF6, hermetically sealed
	Rated filling pressure (gauge)	0.04–0.05 MPa
	Sealed-for-life design	20+ years, no refilling required
	Gas monitoring	Pressure gauge with low-pressure indication; optional density switch & remote alarm
Construction	Protection degree	IP65
	Tank material	Stainless steel 304, welded & hermetically sealed
	Switch type	Three-position — Closed / Open / Earthed
	Number of switch units	2 to 5, configurable
	Cable connection	Fully screened separable elbow connectors, 200 A / 400 A / 630 A, bottom entry
	Operation	Manual lever standard; motorised AC/DC 110V or 220V optional
	Interlocking	Mechanical, enforcing switch–earth–cable access sequence
Dimensions	Overall (W × D × H)	Approx. 900 × 600 × 1100 mm (typical 3-unit)
Dimensions	Weight (approx.)	250–400 kg depending on configuration
Service Conditions	Ambient temperature	−25 °C to +55 °C
	Altitude	≤1000 m standard; ≤2000 m on request
	Relative humidity	Unrestricted — sealed construction
	Installation	Indoor, outdoor kiosk, pad-mounted or below-grade chamber

Services

PRE-SALES ENGINEERING
- Single-line diagram review and panel schedule development from your load list.
- Equipment selection verified against destination grid: 11kV/13.8kV/22kV/33kV (Middle East, Africa), 6kV/10kV/35kV (Russia & CIS), 10kV/20kV/35kV (Eastern Europe). Saudi Arabian projects are designed and verified at 60Hz.
- Ambient derating study. IEC 62271-1 rates equipment at +40 C; we recalculate continuous current for 50-55 C Gulf conditions or supply GOST 15150 climatic versions (UHL1 to -60 C) for CIS sites.
- Short-circuit and protection coordination check against your upstream fault level.
- 2D/3D general arrangement drawings, foundation and cable-entry layouts before production release.

MARKET ACCESS AND DOCUMENTATION
We prepare the technical dossier behind the approval, which is normally the longest item on the project critical path:
- Saudi Arabia: SASO / SABER product certificate (PCoC) and per-shipment certificate (SCoC); SEC material approval support and witnessed factory acceptance testing.
- UAE / Qatar / Kuwait / Oman: documentation packs for DEWA supplier registration, KAHRAMAA material approval, MEW submission and Oman DCRP product approval (mandatory since 2018).
- Iraq: ICIGI certificate of conformity via COSQC-appointed inspection bodies.
- Africa: SONCAP PC and SC for Nigeria, KEBS PVoC (Route A/B/C) for Kenya, TBS / UNBS / GSA certificates elsewhere. Pre-shipment inspection and container sealing coordinated with the appointed agency.
- Russia & CIS: GOST R certification for medium voltage equipment, with EAEU authorised-representative support.
Note that first-time utility approval typically takes 2-12 months depending on the authority. Start this in parallel with order placement, not after.

FACTORY ACCEPTANCE AND DELIVERY
- Routine testing on every panel per IEC 62271-200: power-frequency withstand, main-circuit resistance, mechanical operation, interlock verification, auxiliary circuit function.
- Customer or third-party witnessed FAT (SGS, BV, TUV, Intertek) available on request. Saudi SEC projects require SEC-engineer witnessed FAT.
- Seaworthy export packing: plywood case, desiccant, moisture barrier, shock and tilt indicators for MV assemblies.
- Documentation set: test reports, type-test certificates, GA and schematic drawings, O&M manual, spare parts list, packing list. Manuals available in English, Russian, French and Arabic.

AFTER-SALES
- Commissioning supervision and on-site installation guidance, remote or by engineer dispatch.
- Operator and maintenance training, on-site or online.
- Recommended two-year spare parts list quoted with the order - the single most effective way to avoid extended outages in markets where local spares are unavailable.
- Technical response within 24 hours; consumable spares (contacts, insulators, coils, mechanisms) held in stock for fast dispatch.
- Warranty: 18 months from delivery or 12 months from commissioning, whichever expires first. Extended terms negotiable for framework agreements.

Quality Control

DESIGN VERIFICATION AND TYPE TESTING
- Type tested to IEC 62271-200 for AC metal-enclosed switchgear: power-frequency and lightning impulse withstand, short-time and peak withstand current, temperature rise, making and breaking capacity, mechanical endurance, and degree of protection.
- Internal arc classification (IAC) verified by test, with pressure relief flaps and exhaust ducting proven to contain the arc and protect the operator. This is a distinct qualification from dielectric withstand and should be requested explicitly in tender documents.
- Third-party type-test reports from KEMA, ASTA, CESI or TUV available. Note that an ASTA certificate is signed by an ASTA observer who takes responsibility for the report, which is why utility and EPC procurement treats it differently from a manufacturer's own test record.

INCOMING MATERIAL CONTROL
- Vacuum interrupters, operating mechanisms, protection relays and instrument transformers accepted only from qualified suppliers against certificate of conformity.
- Copper busbar verified for conductivity, cross-section and plating thickness.
- Epoxy insulation components partial-discharge tested on receipt.
- Steel sheet thickness and powder-coat film thickness verified per batch; standard finish RAL 7035.

IN-PROCESS INSPECTION
- Enclosure dimensional and squareness check after fabrication.
- Busbar torque verification with calibrated wrenches, recorded against each joint.
- Wiring verified point-to-point against the approved schematic before energisation.
- Mechanical interlock sequence proven on every panel: breaker cannot be racked in with the earthing switch closed, earthing switch cannot be closed with the breaker closed, cable compartment door cannot be opened unless earthed.

ROUTINE TESTING - EVERY PANEL, NO SAMPLING
- Power-frequency withstand voltage on the main and auxiliary circuits.
- Main circuit resistance measurement, compared against the design baseline.
- Mechanical operation test through the full Service / Test / Isolated sequence.
- Protection and control function test, including trip and close from the relay.
- Degree of protection and paint film verification.
- Each panel is issued a serialised routine test report.

TRACEABILITY AND SYSTEM
- ISO 9001 quality management system.
- Serial number traceability from finished panel back to vacuum interrupter, mechanism and insulation component batch.
- Test records retained and retrievable for the warranty period and beyond, which matters when a utility raises a query years into service.

ENVIRONMENTAL QUALIFICATION
Standard IEC ratings assume a +40 C ambient. Where the destination demands more, we verify accordingly: temperature-rise testing at elevated ambient for Gulf projects, salt-spray testing for coastal installations, and GOST 15150 climatic versions with low-temperature functional verification for CIS deployment.