Study on leakage current characteristics of naturally aged silicon rubber coated ceramic insulator

This research is conducted to assess condition of ceramic insulator with and without silicone rubber coating after 5 years naturally aged in Pangandaran coastal area, West Java, Indonesia. Laboratory testing is also conducted by applying voltage 11-50 kV with high humidity salt fog to the insulator and measuring the leakage current. From the data of magnitude and leakage current waveform of the leakage current, the harmonic content was taken to characterize surface condition of insulator. For higher voltage, it was found that the coating significantly reduced the corona intensity. From the result, ceramic insulator coated with silicone rubber has significant effect especially when installed in a coastal area.