Contamination Flashover, Part II: Flat Plate Model Tests

In order to study some of the processes occurring during flashover, wet contaminant tests were done on a simple flat plate insulator. The effects of such factors as contaminant surface resistivity, the amount of inert binder (bentonite), the use of a different binder (kaolinite), and insulator orientation were studied. Additional data was obtained on time to flashover and the drying effect of the preliminary discharging. Some interesting polarity effects were noted.