OBSERVATION OF ALGAE DEVELOPMENT ON POLYMER INSULATORS BASED ON THE RESULTS OF BDV AND SEM

Polymer insulators is expected has high hydrophobicity compared to other insulator material such as glass and polymer. However, polymer insulators are susceptible to algae. The effect of algae on the dielectric strength of polymer insulators has been analysed. Polymer insulators are immersed in algae-contaminated water for 3 months. Prior to immersion, the polymer insulator was pre-conditioned with salt mist conditioning. Then Breakdown Voltage (BDV) is carried out periodically on the polymer insulator. Meanwhile, Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) testing was carried out on new insulators and insulators that had been submerged in algae to observe how deep is algae penetrate inside the polymer and its effect on the BDV. The BDV value of the new polymer insulator is higher than that of the contaminated insulator when it experienced internal breakdown. When the algal contaminants only grew on the surface, the BDV value was higher than that of the clean polymer.