SUPPRESSION MECHANISM OF LEAKAGE CURRENT ON RTV COATED PORCELAIN AND SILICONE-RUBBER INSULATORS

The results of a study on the suppression of leakage current on room temperature vulcanizing (RTV) silicone rubber coated porcelain suspension insulators in a salt-fog chamber are reported. A comparative study of the performance of coating of different parts of suspension insulators with RTV is reported. The results of attenuated total reflection (ATR) Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy are reported from which a suppression mechanism of leakage current is suggested. These new results complement those previously reported by the authors on the ability of the RTV coatings to suppress leakage current. A mechanism on the suppression of leakage current on RTV coated porcelain and silicone rubber insulators dealing with the temporary loss of hydrophobicity and its return is suggested.