The effects of surface active agents on electric strength of high-voltage capacitor insulation

Analysis of impregnation conditions of all-film insulation with liquid dielectric showed that for each polymer material it is necessary to select the proper impregnating liquid. It is possible to control the process of wetting by means of surface active agents (surfactants) introduced into the liquid. Surfactants not only can facilitate good impregnation, but they can also increase the breakdown strength of capacitor insulation. Good-quality impregnation provides high electric strength of the insulation. In the case of surfactant application it can also be obtained due to change of near-electrode and bulk processes in the insulation. Proper selection of surfactants can increase the breakdown stress of polypropylene and polyethylene terephthalate by 30-40% with a simultaneous increase of service life by one to three orders of magnitude.<
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