Perfluorocyclobutane(c-C4F8) has been recently considered as a potential alternative to SF6

because of its high electro-negativity and extremely low environmental effect.However

due to its high boiling point

c-C4F8 should mixed with buffer gases such as N2 or CO2 in order to avoid the liquefaction at low temperature.This paper investigates insulating properties of c-C4F8/N2 gas mixtures from two aspects including electrical strength

and Global Warming Potential(GWP).Moreover

improved electrical breakdown model of gas mixtures is founded.Breakdown temperature and breakdown electrical field in gas mixtures can be obtained from rigorous Townsend criterion expression according to gas mixtures ratio and cross section data of gas mixtures in this model.Under the condition of different gas pressure(0.1～0.4 MPa)

gas mixtures ratio(0～30%)

and electrode gap(2～10 mm)

breakdown voltages of gas mixtures are calculated by using of this model.Insulation strength of SF6/N2 mixed gas is compared with c-C4F8/N2 mixed gas in the same conditions.Research results show that theoretical computation corresponds with experiment.If the content of c-C4F8 or SF6 in mixtures is less than 30%

insulation strength between c-C4F8/N2 and SF6/N2 is very close.Considering two indexes(breakdown voltage

GWP)

it is suitable for c-C4F8 content being 15%～20% in c-C4F8/N2 gas mixtures