SF6 Gas Service Cart Maintenance Options & Considerations

Standard SF₆ Gas Cart Maintenance 

Maintenance for SF₆ gas carts is generally broken into stages, or milestones, that help ensure optimal performance. These milestones occur within certain periods after you receive the gas cart and once it’s in service. 

SF₆ cart maintenance looks different depending on the provider. The standard approach to maintenance at DILO is as follows: 

4-6 Months After Delivery 

• Check in with DILO Direct Connect 
• Schedule DILO training 
• Register for 12-month guarantee 
• Order spare PM parts

6-10 Months In-Service 

• Perform gas handling services 
• Receive SF₆ reconditioning with DILO-certified gas 

12 Months After Delivery

• Obtain on-site/off-site gas management services 
• Check in with DILO Direct Connect 
• Schedule preventative maintenance 

12-18 Months In-Service 

• Renew DILO Direct Connect subscription 
• Perform gas handling services 

Additional Considerations 

Outside of routine maintenance, specific components of the SF₆ gas cart must be inspected or upgraded at certain periods. These tasks include: 

• Check valves (general): 10 years 
• Compressor exchange: 10 years 
• Compressor rebuild: 4 years/# of hours used 
• Cylinder exchange: 5 years 
• Cylinder scale calibration: Annually
• Equipment with dewpoint meters: 2 years 
• Rubber diaphragms: 3 years 

As industry standards change, components may require an upgrade to ensure compliance. Even if maintenance tasks were recently completed, verify all components are up to date each time new standards are issued.
 

SF₆ Gas Cart Maintenance Programs 

Having maintenance done by the same company providing the gas cart offers convenience. Plus, our trained and certified technicians understand how this equipment works better than third-party vendors and can identify issues that may be otherwise hard to detect. 

DILO offers two on-site SF₆gas cart maintenance programs — one for small and one for large gas carts. Both provide owners with many years of hassle-free service and help eliminate downtime. 

D-910-R100 Large SF₆ Gas Cart Maintenance Program 

Maintenance involves a thorough inspection of the machine, replacing all filters, and changing the vacuum pump oil. Full inspections occur at the start and end of the annual program. Our technicians train operators in proper usage to ensure teams make the most of their SF₆ gas carts. Additionally, we will replace lost or damaged manuals.

Following each maintenance procedure, the technician will provide a full report of the tasks performed. DILO will store your equipment service and maintenance records to refer to for future appointments. 

DILO also offers resources to help teams manage their SF₆ products. For example, one of our apps enables operators to calculate the recovery time of all our service carts quickly and accurately. This tool automatically indicates the time for the evacuation of air from the gas compartment and residual gas quantities, depending on the final vacuum.

D-915-R100 Small SF₆ Gas Cart Maintenance Program 

Small service carts come with their own maintenance concerns. With this program, trained and certified DILO technicians conduct the following: 

• Complete inspection of plumbing and electrical systems
• Performance and functional testing 
• Filter replacement
• Vacuum pump oil change 
• Annual preventive maintenance

DILO will store all records of equipment service and maintenance for future reference. What’s more, when you purchase this annual maintenance program, you receive a 1-year extension on the original manufacturer’s warranty.

Please note: Warranty applies only when purchased with new equipment. 

SF₆ Service Carts from DILO 

When choosing SF₆ gas carts, you want equipment designed for optimal performance and efficiency. There are several criteria to consider when making this decision, but the key aspect is the efficient functional interaction of all the parts of the service cart over an actual period.

DILO strives to offer the best for their customers, and to that end, offers TUEV SUED-certified service carts. This organization offers testing, inspection, and certification for many industries, including components and equipment manufacturing. TUEV SUED adheres to national and international standards with all procedures. Our service carts are approved for performance and equipment safety by experts in the field. 

The following are all SF₆ gas carts that have been tested by an expert from TUEV SUED: 

• B143R11 Mini Series: This compact and mobile service cart is designed for efficient gas handling for medium voltage range applications. It allows for a gas recovery down to a final vacuum of <5 mbar and is comparable with larger models. 
• L030R02 Piccolo Series: This device is created specifically for modern switchgear with small gas compartments. Its compact but high-capacity compressor allows SF₆ reclaiming up to <1 mbar. 
• L057R01 Economy Series: This service cart meets all practical requirements and features a compact build and modern design. Access advanced technology and ergonomics on this user-friendly device.  
• B057R03/B057R17 Compact Series: These service carts are best for those beginning with professional gas handling. They allow for the recovery, filling, and purification of SF₆ gas. They also enable the evacuation and venting of medium-sized gas compartments.
• L170R01 Mega Series: This service cart offers high process reliability while recovering, evacuating, filling, purifying, and venting large to extra-large compartments. It enables a compartment with 1,000I and 5 bar Pa to recover to 1 mbar in approximately 40 minutes. 
• L1400R01 Mega Series: One of the most powerful gas service carts we offer, this device allows for SF₆ gas recovery down to a final vacuum of <1 mbar. 
• L600 Mega Series: The most powerful of all gas service carts we offer, this device includes an oil-less suction pump in addition to all standard equipment of the L1400. It also provides an SF₆ gas recovery down to a final vacuum of <1 mbar.

SF₆ Gas Service and Cart Maintenance From DILO 

Gas service cart maintenance is an essential part of SF₆ gas handling. Make sure you partner with an experienced organization like DILO. Public and private utilities, engineering firms, and related organizations like yours receive quality SF₆ handling equipment and great customer service. We want your equipment in the field, providing top performance for your applications. Contact us today for more on our SF₆ gas carts and maintenance services.