Epsilon G4 HVIC GEN-4 Quartz ATH Technical Specs & Datasheet Jan 2019 V2-5

EPSILON G4
GEN-4 RTV SILICONE RUBBER HIGH VOLTAGE INSULATOR COATING

TECHNICAL DATASHEET & SPECIFICATIONS

Rev. 19 Jan 2019
TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents
Introduction _________________________________________________________________________________________________1
Technical Specifications ____________________________________________________________________________________3
Storage, Handling, Application and Maintenance________________________________________________________4
Additional Information and Resources ___________________________________________________________________6
EPSILON G4: RTV HIGH VOLTAGE INSULATOR COATING

Introduction
ONE-PART ULTRA-HYDROPHOBIC HIGH VOLTAGE INSULATOR COATING (HVIC)
Epsilon G4 is a one-part ultra-hydrophobic UV-resistant coating that enhances an insulator's surface
properties to prevent the formation of a conductive layer even in the most polluted of environments. The
HVIC is designed to protect AC and DC equipment up to 1200kV class.

INTENDED USAGE
• Ceramic, Porcelain, Glass and Composite Insulators
• Air Core Reactors
• Metallic Substrates

Coastal, Industrial and other forms of pollution are a major cause for leakage current, corona, arcing and
flashovers on insulators, Air Core Reactors and metallic equipment. The application of G4 is a proven and
100% effective method to mitigate the risks of pollution and eliminate leakage current flashovers - while
reducing or even altogether eliminating the need for insulator washing.

Figure 1: Off-line Coating of Insulators

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EPSILON G4: RTV HIGH VOLTAGE INSULATOR COATING

Epsilon G4 has been certified for use on

TRENCH™ Air Core Reactors and
TRENCH™ 765kV/800kV bushings.

G4 can also be used on aging COMPOSITE

INSULATORS to avoid degradation and enhance
the life of such insulators.

The coating may also be used on METALLIC

SUBSTRATES as a ‘paintable electrical insulation’
due to its high dielectric strength and coast-grade
corrosion-protection characteristics.

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EPSILON G4: RTV HIGH VOLTAGE INSULATOR COATING

Technical Specifications

Epsilon G4 RTV HVIC

Type One part, RTV

Appearance Paint
Specific Gravity ≥ 1.27
Primary Filler Type Quartz
Secondary Filler Alumina Trihydrate
Color Gray
Application Temperature Range ºC -4°C to 121°C
Operational Temperature Range ºC -50°C to 380°C
Cure Method Oxime
Skin-over time at standard conditions* 15 minutes
Tack free at 25°C and 50% RH 30 minutes
Min Percent Solids (By Weight) ≥ 78%
Min Percent Solids (By Volume) ≥ 64%
Viscosity, cps 1,700 to 2,500
As cured – at standard conditions* for 7 days
Dielectric Strength, (ASTM D 149) 36.0 kV/mm
Volume resistivity, ohm.cm (ASTM D257) 9.0 × 1014
Dissipation factor at 100Hz (ASTM D150) 0.021
Water Repellency Angle 118° ± 3°
Tracking wheel withstand, hours 1,000 Hours
Min. Salinity Level withstood during Artificial Pollution Test 224 kg/m3
on flashed-over and coated string of disc insulators (400kV)
Hydrophobicity Recovery within 48 hours (REC 76/2006) To HC2
Aerosol Can available for purchase (for touch-ups) Yes
Method of Application Airless Spray, brush or roller

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EPSILON G4: RTV HIGH VOLTAGE INSULATOR COATING

Storage, Handling, Application and Maintenance

STORAGE & HANDLING
• Store in a cool and dry place with adequate ventilation. Keep containers tightly sealed
• Moisture ingress could lead to unwanted and premature curing of the Epsilon Coating
• Material must be agitated thoroughly prior to use
• Keep away from heat, sparks, open flame and moisture
• For a detailed safety procedures, please refer to the product Material Safety & Datasheet (MSDS)
• The coating has a shelf life of 12 months from date of delivery to the customer and must be
applied within that period for warranties to hold good

SAFETY
• Please refer to the latest version of the MSDS

COATING USAGE QUANTITY ESTIMATION

Considering HVIC usage is largely dependent upon formulation, application efficiencies, applicator
training, insulator geometry, weather conditions and other parameters, it is recommended that the
BOQ of equipment to be coated is informed to Epsilon who can provide a detailed estimation of HVIC
usage. A request for an HVIC quantity calculation can be made here.

APPLICATION
Application of HVIC must be conducted by the Epsilon Asia Group or by qualified personnel with suitable
training. Application must be conducted in an off-line state in accordance with:

IEEE Standard 1523: 2002 Application Maintenance and Evaluation for HVICs
And
Epsilon RTV Coating Application Maintenance and Handling Procedure (V16 or later)

Recommended thickness of the coating on ceramic and epoxy insulator surfaces as coated in the field is
450µ ± 10%, even in extreme polluted conditions. Excessive coating may hamper heat dissipation. For Air
Core Reactors, recommended coating thickness varies upon substrate to be coated (Fiberglass, metal,
ABS, or other) and ACR manufacturer’s recommendations.

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EPSILON G4: RTV HIGH VOLTAGE INSULATOR COATING

For metallic substrates where G4 is used for its dielectric strength, film thickness should increase as per
dielectric strength requirements. Please ensure adequate safety margins are maintained and no air
bubbles, moisture ingress, nicks, scratches and/or cuts are present in the cured coating layer.

POST-APPLICATION MAINTENANCE
In most cases, minimal or no maintenance is required after G4 is applied on insulators. However, for
extreme pollution conditions, coastal locations, cement/steel factories., etc. please refer to the Epsilon
RTV HVIC Application Maintenance and Handling Procedure or contact an Epsilon representative.

Insulator washing is not required in most cases but if pollution buildup with very rapid and/or washing is
desired, water pressure of 400 psi (7.6 bar) is recommended.

Care should be taken to not climb on, scratch or physically harm the coating. Performance of the coating
on insulators will not be degraded by minor nicks or cuts. For metal substrates when the coating is used
for dielectric strength, nicks, cuts and scratches are not permissible.

Figure 3: Best in Class Hydrophobicity

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EPSILON G4: RTV HIGH VOLTAGE INSULATOR COATING

Additional Information and Resources

Please contact us for more information about:

1. Case studies in non-renewable and renewable power generation, UHV/EHV power transmission
and in heavy industry like metals, cements, refineries, sugar and chemicals
2. Scientific/academic papers on RTV Coatings
3. Paper authored by TATA POWER/CGPL 4,000 MW Power Plant about 100% elimination of
insulator washing and pollution flashovers in their 400kV yard
4. UV-camera Video comparing uncoated and coated insulators is here

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Please visit us at our website, telephone our offices or write to us at just-ask@epsilonasia.com

Epsilon Asia Group

Worldwide Sales incl. India: Avanza Epsilon Elektro Pvt. Ltd.:
X-29 Hauz Khas, New Delhi – 110016, India; T: +91.11.4101.4888

SE Asia and Australia-Pacific: Epsilon Engineering (Thailand) Co. Ltd.:

21/10 Ruamrudee Soi 1, Ploenchit Road, Pratumwan, Bangkok 10330, Thailand

www.epsilonasia.com

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