Effect of environmental contamination on the formation of flashover on polymer insulating materials

The influence of environmental contamination on the flashover voltage of three polymer insulating materials nomely polystrene, polyvinyl chloride and polymethylmethacrylate is studied. The insulation was subjected to direct voltage stresses under inhomogeneous field conditions (roa-plate electrode system). Results are presented and discussed in this paper. The flashover voltage of polymer insulating materials was found to decrease with increasing the contaminate solution, moisture absorption and ambient temperature. The polarity of the applied voltage was also found to affect the magnitude of the flashover voltage. The variation of thickness of the polymer insulating materials on the surface flashover voltage is also discussed.