Study on Flashover Characteristics of Fluorosilicone Rubber Insulators Under High Humidity and Pollution Conditions

When silicone rubber composite insulators are operated under high humidity and pollution environment for a long time, the sheds of these insulators tend to undergo premature aging. This aging process leads to a decline in hydrophobicity and surface insulation performance, posing a significant threat to safe and reliable operation of the power grid. This article chooses fluorosilicone rubber as insulator shed material, characterized by more stable molecular chains and lower surface energy. The results of artificial pollution flashover tests reveal that as the degree of pollution escalates, fluorosilicone rubber insulators consistently exhibit higher flashover voltages, with an average increase rate of 18.0%. Further analysis of leakage currents confirms similar discharge patterns between two materials, yet fluorosilicone rubber insulators demonstrate superior and sustained insulating performance. Analysis of surface properties unequivocally demonstrates that fluorosilicone rubber is superior to silicone rubber in terms of hydrophobicity, surface roughness, and surface resistivity, which collectively contributes to the enhancement of pollution flashover voltages. The adoption of fluorosilicone rubber insulators stands as an effective strategy for bolstering the reliability of transmission lines and prolonging the lifespan of composite insulators in regions beset by high humidity and pollution conditions.