Device for decreased risk of dielectric breakdown in high voltage apparatuses

1. A device comprising:

a corona shield being arranged to surround a high voltage conductor of a high voltage apparatus; and

at least one support element for connecting said corona shield to the high voltage conductor of the high voltage apparatus, characterised in that

said at least one support element comprises a semiconducting polymer, which, when said device is in operation, acts as a resistance between said corona shield and said high voltage apparatus, and

said support element is arranged to fix said corona shield to said high voltage apparatus;

wherein at least one of said at least one support element comprises a core of said semiconducting polymer and an outer layer made of an outer material which is more durable when exposed to air than said semiconducting polymer.

2. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said at least one support element has a resistance in the range of 100 kiloohm to 100 megaohm.

3. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said semiconducting polymer comprises a non-conducting polymer with a conducting filler.

4. The device according to claim 1 wherein said non-conducting polymer is selected from the group consisting of: polyethylene, cross linked polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylchloride, polystyrene, polyurethane, epoxy resins, phenol based resins, polymer blends and copolymers, or any combination of these.

5. The device according to claim 1 , wherein at least one of said at least one support element has a cross shaped cross section.

6. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said semiconducting polymer is attached to said corona shield and said semiconducting polymer is arranged to be attached to said high voltage apparatus.

7. The device according to claim 1 , wherein said corona shield is substantially toroidal with at least an outer layer comprising a metal.

8. A high voltage wall bushing comprising the device according to claim 1 .

9. A method for manufacturing a device characterised by the steps of:

providing at least one support element comprising a semiconducting polymer, which, when said device is in operation, acts as a resistance between a corona shield and a high voltage conductor of a high voltage apparatus;

providing a core and an outer layer for each of said at least one support element, said outer layer being made of an outer material which is more durable when exposed to air than said semiconducting polymer; and

mounting said at least one support element between a corona shield and a high voltage apparatus such that the corona shield surrounds the high voltage conductor.

10. The manufacturing method according to claim 9 , wherein said step of providing further comprises:

providing a dielectric core for said core for each of said at least one support element; and

applying said semiconducting polymer by spray painting a layer of said semiconducting polymer on each of said at least one support elements.

11. The manufacturing method according to claim 10 , wherein said step of providing at least one support element further comprises:

providing a dielectric layer on an exterior side of said layer of said semiconducting polymer.