A Study on the Influence of Pollution Level and Humidity on Creepage Discharge Characteristics over Solid Dielectric/Air Interface

Manufacturers of medium voltage switchgear panel have been using solid materials such as SMC, in order to improve the dielectric strength of their products. They have also been carrying out researches on the influence of the insulation material properties on the creepage discharge characteristics over solid dielectric / air interfaces. Experimental investigation on the influence of pollution and humidity on the surface of solid material, however, is needed in designing an insulation structure of the medium voltage switchgear panels in the polluted areas such as industrial complex and inshore regions. Because, it has been reported that creepage breakdown could take place due to the presence of moisture, contaminants on the dielectrics surface and short creepage distance. In this paper, to…