Finite element modelling of electric field and voltage distribution on a silicone insulating surface covered with water droplets

The main objective of this work is to study the behaviour of water droplets placed on a silicone surface in the presence of an electric field. We observed the effect of the water droplets on the distribution of the electric field and the voltage generated. A geometric model of the insulator was designed and studied using the finite element method as implemented in COMSOL Multiphysics. The results of the simulations showed that numerous parameters, such as the volume, number, and conductivity of the droplets, as well as their position with respect to the electrodes, affected the potential and electric field distribution. Furthermore, the simulations show that discharges caused by water droplets on the surface of polymeric insulators affect the long-term reliability of the component by lowering the surface hydrophobicity, boosting surface discharges.