Nano standardization essential for reliability of special coatings

Nanotechnology has led to the introduction of novel coatings with water resistant surfaces that can help eliminate moisture condensation on high voltage insulators, that causes water droplets to simply roll off of them. This is a vital characteristic for these products because sparkover of an insulator is usually due to humidity and dirt on its surface.

A standard method for determining the ability of such coatings to adequately prevent water film formation will improve high voltage transmission line reliability industry wide.  The high voltage insulator industry should look to the TC 113 U.S. TAG to develop this method.