The behaviour of water droplets on the silicone rubber surface in an electric field

[摘要] This paper describes the influence of a water droplet placed on flat samples of silicone rubber for enhancement the local electric field and generate electrical discharges. Studies have shown a significant influence of the droplet geometry on the electric strength of the samples. For non-symmetrical arrangement of the three droplets in the inter-electrode space electrohydrodynamic phenomena was observed: a stable change in the droplets shape placed near the electrodes and stretching and tearing down of the water droplets placed far from the electrodes. Captured photos and films of the water droplets behavior placed on the surface of the samples provided data to perform the simulation of the distribution of electric field and an estimate the value of the electric field, which was followed by the development of electric surface discharges.

[发布机构] Department of Electrical Engineering Fundamentals, Wroclaw University of Technology, Wybrzeze Wyspiaskiego 27, Wroclaw; 50-370, Poland^1

[关键词] Distribution of electric fields;Electric strength;Electrical discharges;Electrode space;Electrohydrodynamic phenomena;Local electric field;Silicone rubber;Symmetrical arrangement