Effect of inclination angle of hydrophobic silicone insulation covered by water drops on its DC performance

Abstract

The objective sought through this paper consists in quantifying the effect of the inclination angle relative to the horizontal on the electrical performance of hydrophobic silicone surface covered by water drops with variable number, volume and electrical conductivity, when it is energized in positive and negative polarity of DC. An experimental device allowing the variation of the angle of its slope was made. The tests carried out were supported by a visualization of the insulation flashover electrical discharge using high speed camera. The results presented in this paper show clearly that there are limit values of a quarto influence parameters such as the number of rows of water drops, their volume, their electrical conductivity and the insulation inclination angle, for which its performance is minimal. Furthermore, this study suggests that superior electrical performance in some wet, polluted conditions can be obtained with an optimal choice of inclination angle.