Trafag Sets a New Standard in Gas Density Monitoring: The 87x9 Platform as the Answer to the New Era of Power Engineering
Thursday, 10 September, 2026 : 14:50 New products
The market for high- and medium-voltage gas-insulated switchgear (GIS) is undergoing its most dynamic transformation in decades. Tighter environmental regulations, the phase-out of 
gas, and the transition to alternative gas mixtures operating at higher pressures demand a new generation of measuring instruments. Swiss manufacturer Trafag has responded by launching the 87x9 platform — a comprehensive technical solution that combines traditional reliability with predictive digitalization.
Navigating the transition toward environmentally friendly insulating media has presented engineers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a serious technical challenge. New gas mixtures offer excellent insulating properties, but require operation at significantly lower densities and noticeably higher pressures — up to 13 bar. Furthermore, requirements for tracking micro-leakage and documenting equipment condition throughout its entire lifecycle are no longer optional, but standard industry practice.
In this environment, Trafag's 87x9 platform represents a major breakthrough: it integrates reliable mechanical switching and continuous electronic measurement within a single, scalable architecture.
A Future-Proof Reference Chamber
At the core of the new series is an advanced reference chamber engineered for absolute pressures up to 13 bar. A key innovation is that the reference chamber of the 87x9 platform is always 100%-free, even when applied to systems still operating with gas.
The sealed chamber is filled with a precisely defined, environmentally friendly mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide (
), which faithfully reproduces the isochoric behavior of the target insulating gas. Beyond high measurement accuracy immune to temperature fluctuations, this solution delivers a major ecological and economic benefit: at the end of the equipment's service life, disposing of the instrument requires no special, costly procedures for gas recycling.
Hybrid Concept: Uniting Safety and Smart Analytics
The traditional approach dictated choosing between a mechanical monitor with microswitches for safety tripping and an electronic sensor for data transmission. The 87x9 platform eliminates the need for compromise through its hybrid models (8729 and 8739 series).
Practical Field Advantages: In Situ Maintenance
Alongside measurement performance, considerable attention has been paid to operation and servicing. Unexpectedly removing devices from gas compartments for inspection always carries the risk of potential gas leaks.
The 87x9 platform offers optional integrated valves for testing, gas sampling, evacuation, and refilling directly at the mounting location (in situ). This design drastically reduces downtime, simplifies periodic audits, and shortens the device's center-of-mass lever arm, directly mitigating the impact of mechanical vibrations during breaker switching operations.
Thanks to its modular design, flexible connection angles (
, 
, 
, 
), and a separate connector housing that facilitates pre-wiring, the 87x9 represents a complete solution ready for seamless integration into any modern switchgear installation.
For more information on technical specifications, calibrations for specific gas types, and application possibilities of the Trafag 87x9 platform, please contact the team at Electro Pneumatic Solutions d.o.o., the official distributor for Serbia and the region. We are at your disposal to find the optimal solution for your requirements.
gas, and the transition to alternative gas mixtures operating at higher pressures demand a new generation of measuring instruments. Swiss manufacturer Trafag has responded by launching the 87x9 platform — a comprehensive technical solution that combines traditional reliability with predictive digitalization.Navigating the transition toward environmentally friendly insulating media has presented engineers and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with a serious technical challenge. New gas mixtures offer excellent insulating properties, but require operation at significantly lower densities and noticeably higher pressures — up to 13 bar. Furthermore, requirements for tracking micro-leakage and documenting equipment condition throughout its entire lifecycle are no longer optional, but standard industry practice.
In this environment, Trafag's 87x9 platform represents a major breakthrough: it integrates reliable mechanical switching and continuous electronic measurement within a single, scalable architecture.
A Future-Proof Reference Chamber
At the core of the new series is an advanced reference chamber engineered for absolute pressures up to 13 bar. A key innovation is that the reference chamber of the 87x9 platform is always 100%
-free, even when applied to systems still operating with gas.The sealed chamber is filled with a precisely defined, environmentally friendly mixture of nitrogen and carbon dioxide (
), which faithfully reproduces the isochoric behavior of the target insulating gas. Beyond high measurement accuracy immune to temperature fluctuations, this solution delivers a major ecological and economic benefit: at the end of the equipment's service life, disposing of the instrument requires no special, costly procedures for gas recycling.Hybrid Concept: Uniting Safety and Smart Analytics
The traditional approach dictated choosing between a mechanical monitor with microswitches for safety tripping and an electronic sensor for data transmission. The 87x9 platform eliminates the need for compromise through its hybrid models (8729 and 8739 series).
-
Dual Measurement Path System: The mechanical path operates fully independently, ensuring deterministic switching for alarm and interlocking functions (up to 5 switching points with an accuracy of
at 
).
- Quartz Resonator for Predictive Maintenance: Operating in parallel with the mechanical path, an internal quartz tuning fork sensor measures density against a vacuum reference. The signal is transmitted as an analog or digital (Modbus/RS485) output, providing SCADA systems with trend data and micro-leakage detection years before the first alarm threshold is reached.
Practical Field Advantages: In Situ Maintenance
Alongside measurement performance, considerable attention has been paid to operation and servicing. Unexpectedly removing devices from gas compartments for inspection always carries the risk of potential gas leaks.
The 87x9 platform offers optional integrated valves for testing, gas sampling, evacuation, and refilling directly at the mounting location (in situ). This design drastically reduces downtime, simplifies periodic audits, and shortens the device's center-of-mass lever arm, directly mitigating the impact of mechanical vibrations during breaker switching operations.
Thanks to its modular design, flexible connection angles (
, , , ), and a separate connector housing that facilitates pre-wiring, the 87x9 represents a complete solution ready for seamless integration into any modern switchgear installation.For more information on technical specifications, calibrations for specific gas types, and application possibilities of the Trafag 87x9 platform, please contact the team at Electro Pneumatic Solutions d.o.o., the official distributor for Serbia and the region. We are at your disposal to find the optimal solution for your requirements.
