RESEARCH THEME

Polymeric insulators are gaining more importance in the power system as electrical insulation especially in high voltage applications with the reliability and their promising properties over traditional insulators made of porcelain, ceramic and glass. Compared to common organic polymers, silicone rubber insulators have higher heat resistance, chemical stability and providing better electrical insulation. Silicone rubber insulators are being used in power transmission and distribution systems due to its inherent capabilities and advantages viz good pollution performance, lightweight, higher vandal resistance, higher hydrophobicity and hydrophobicity recovery. In recent times, it has become essential to design and develop, a compact, cost-effective and reliable insulation and the world over researchers are trying to use the advantages of nano-material to enhance further the silicone rubber material. Compared to base silicone rubber a small amount of nano filler addition can significantly improves the insulator properties. Selecting appropriate fillers with optimal concentration, shape and size of the particles can significantly improve the insulating properties of the base matrix.

RESEARCH AREAS

  • Investigations on water droplet-initiated discharges in polymers by adopting the UHF technique.

  • Surface potential decay and trap distribution characteristics in polymer insulators.

  • Understanding the bulk properties (space charge) of polymer composites by Pulsed Electro Acoustic (PEA) technique under DC voltage and voltage polarity reversal conditions.

  • Investigations on loss and recovery of hydrophobicity characteristics in silicone rubber composites exposed to corona discharge.

  • Investigations on dielectric, thermal, and mechanical properties of polymer composites.

  • Condition monitoring of salt fog aged polymer composites.

  • Investigations on the impact of saline/acidic solutions on the performance of silicone rubber composites.

  • Hydrophobicity improvement in silicone rubber insulators by adopting laser texturing.

  • Classification of ageing level, contamination type and pollution level on insulating materials using PCA and ANN adopted LIBS analysis.

  • Analyzing the surface condition of aged and polluted insulating material by adopting Wavelet transform, AFM, and LIBS analysis.