Watts loss of polymer housed surge arresters in a simulated Florida coastal climate

Polymer housed surge arresters, evaluated under accelerated conditions of a Florida coastal climate, are shown to exhibit an increasing watts loss characteristic with service life corresponding to the aging of their polymer housings. Surge arrester housings made of materials other than silicone rubber are shown to age more rapidly and, therefore, show significantly higher watts loss with service life. Lifetime energy costs of polymer housed surge arresters will need to factor in the watts loss of the housing due to wet surface contamination