Silicone Coating on Porcelain Insulator

Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA)used porcelain insulators in the transmission overhead line system. These insulators are considered the best insulators with regard to design and durability. In spite of satisfactory performance, porcelain insulators have disadvantages, such as needing regular washing and cleaning. Because of the coastal location and industrial pollution of the overhead lines, frequent washing of porcelain insulators is required to ensure an interruption-free and reliable performance. Various studies have been conducted on the operation of porcelain insulators, i.e. flashover from heavy pollution during foggy and stormy weather, extremely high and long periods of high humidity, industrial and dust contaminants. These studies suggested the right specification for creepage distance of insulator strings in different environments. Nevertheless, they have not provided sufficient protection against pollution deposits. This has introduced the development and application of high-voltage silicone coating to porcelain insulators provides adequate protection from pollution. This has provided high-quality performance, durability, and long life, without requiring regular washing, making them superior to glass and composite insulators. This report guides engineers and other utilities, particularly countries with environmental conditions like Dubai, in selecting the precise insulator to be used in their overhead line system. It also provides a way to improve the existing insulator they have on their system.