A New Approach Based on RTV/SiO۲ Nano coating to Tackling Environmental Pollution on Electrical Energy Distributions

The crisis of contamination that leads to the accumulation of dust particles on insulation equipment and electrical insulators has disrupted the electricity grid. Electric discharge on infected insulators in wet conditions is a serious threat to the reliability of the grid, which can lead to grid failure and blackout. In this regard, the importance of hydrophobic and dustproof coatings in the electricity industry has increased in recent years. In this paper, silica nanoparticles in the silicon rubber matrix were used to coat ceramic insulators to decrease the environmental impact of dust and moisture on the insulator’s coatings. One of the essential properties of these coatings is their hydrophobicity to prevent possible problems in power transmission. With this regard, nanocomposites were applied to ۷۰ kN insulators and the tests were designed according to the available standards. The performance of these nanocoatings was evaluated by the implementation of electrical, salt fog, and hydrophobicity tests. Finally, the nanocomposite sample containing ۳ wt % silica was recognized as the best one.

Keywords:

Silicon Rubber nanocomposite , Salt fog test , Hydrophobicity , Leakage Current , Breakdown Voltage