Pressure-free. Safe. Ready for immediate use.
The ECOS-Z is the future-proof, compact medium-voltage switchgear for 24-kV networks. It enables a complete phase-out of SF₆ without compromising on safety, space requirements, or performance.
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As of January 1, 2026, the commissioning of new medium-voltage switchgear up to 24 kV using the climate-damaging insulating gas sulfur hexafluoride (SF6) will no longer be permitted. For operators of medium-voltage grids, this means rethinking their approach and taking action.
With the ECOS-Z, Driescher offers a technically proven alternative that operates entirely without SF6, fluoroketones, or fluoronitriles. It meets all relevant standards and is already designed to comply with upcoming regulatory requirements.
„Out with the SF6 system, in with the ECOS-Z:
The ECOS-Z offers maximum safety in a minimal amount of space and, thanks to its pressureless technology, saves you the trouble of having to provide building certification.”
The ECOS-Z relies on vacuum circuit breakers in combination with a synthetic insulating fluid (MIDEL® 7131). All live components are individually metal-encapsulated, including the busbar and cable connection compartment.
The result:
MIDEL® 7131 is biodegradable, classified by the German Federal Environment Agency as non-hazardous to water, and has been proven in energy technology for decades.
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The ECOS-Z is suitable for:
Thanks to its compact dimensions, numerous feeders can be installed even in limited spaces, without compromising safety or ease of use.
Strategies for Phasing Out SF6
Learn how to make the transition to SF6-free technology cost-effective, safe, and sustainable. And discover the role ECOS-Z plays in this process.
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Starting in 2026, SF6 may no longer be used in 20-kV switchgear. The ECOS-Z operates entirely without this climate-damaging gas and meets all current and future regulatory requirements. This makes it a reliable long-term solution for both new construction and retrofitting.
The single-pole enclosure of all primary components within corrosion-resistant steel tubes virtually eliminates the possibility of a two- or three-phase short circuit. In the event of a fault, ECOS-Z does not produce high-energy arcs or pressures that could damage a building.
Since the system operates without pressure and no pressure increase was detected in the laboratory even under extreme conditions, there is no need for pressure relief in the building. Certification in accordance with DIN EN IEC 62271-202 is therefore not required.
It is ideal for compact local distribution stations, container stations, and industrial facilities. Its compact dimensions are particularly advantageous in retrofit projects. Technically, it covers everything: from simple ring main unit applications to complex transfer switch systems. Since it operates without pressure, it is the top choice wherever power needs to be distributed safely in the tightest of spaces.
No. The system requires very little maintenance. Vacuum circuit breakers, durable materials, and the enclosed primary section ensure safe and reliable operation for many years.
