Artificial contamination tests of silicone rubber cylindrical models

To develop the composite insulator termination for EHV XLPE Cable, especially for those used for contamination conditions, it is necessary to evaluate the contamination performance of composite insulators. This article presents the results of artificial contamination test on the cylindrical model made of FRP tube covered with silicone rubber, and also introduces the relation between methods of making contamination samples and the equivalent salt deposit density (ESDD) levels on the surface of the samples. Comparing with salt (NaCl), a mixture of several contamination deposits was also used to evaluate the contamination performance of the samples. Artificial contamination tests were performed in a clean fog room. Several contaminated silicone rubber cylindrical samples with different diameters were tested. AC flashover voltage was measured by changing the ESDD level