Advantages of PEXLIM surge arresters

Silicone rubber - An excellent material for outdoor insulation
Silicone rubber as outdoor insulation material has been used for more than 25 years with good service experience, even in severe climatic conditions. Today silicone rubber is the most widely used polymeric material for high voltage outdoor insulation. Our silicon-housed PEXLIM arresters, using the same ZnO-blocks as the well-known EXLIM arrester, give additional benefits by way of low weight, highly improved pollution performance, increased personnel safety and long working life. The electrical performance is at par with EXLIM performance. The PEXLIM arresters are designed and tested according to the forthcoming Amendment 2 to IEC 60099-4.

Long working life
Many polymeric materials are hydrophobic, but most of them lose their hydrophobicity after a relatively short period. Silicone, on the other hand, has the unique ability to maintain its hydrophobicity during its lifetime and, thereby, contributes to long service life of PEXLIM arresters. Optimised rubber formulation with ATH-filler (aluminium trihydrate) gives additional properties, for instance low leakage-currents, erosion-resistance and fire-retardancy. Silicone is self-extinguishing and fulfils the proposed IEC standard in this regard.

Low weight
The low weight of PEXLIM facilitates installation and permits erection in limited spaces and at all angles. They can be hung from station structures or conductors, mounted on transformer bushings or integrated with other switchgear apparatus. The low weight combined with the damping properties by the silicone rubber also makes PEXLIM excellent for use in earthquake-prone areas. During overstress conditions, the design permits the arc product to escape directly thought the housing at several points, and thus the need for any pressure-relief device is eliminated. Further, due to its design, reduces considerably any risk of damage to other equipment or people close to the arrester.