How does Si-COAT 570 HVIC stop leakage current leading to flashover?
Leakage current is caused by contaminants such as salt, sand, carbon, fly ash, etc. settling on the surface of an insulator. When these contaminants are combined with natural mositure (rain, fog, dew, etc.) current leaks down the body of the insulator. If the flow of current is too great, the electricity in the conductor will take the shortest path to ground, which is across the full length of the insulator and down the tower or pole. This is called a flashover. Flashovers result in expensive power outages and repair costs.Si-COAT 570 HVIC’s patented formulation stops leakage current by virtue of the non-conductive free fluid present in the cured coating. After the coating has been applied to the insulator surface, the free fluid migrates to the surface of the coating to form a one molecule thick layer. This layer is referred to as the “monolayer” and forms naturally due to the low surface tension property of the fluid.As contaminants settle of the surface of the coated insulator, they
