Abstract: The essential elements of the electrical system of a treater, or dehydrator, of produced oil well fluids are connected and physically oriented as mounted within the shell of the treater. The electrodes (1 and 2) of the treater are energized from a line supply, or mains, through a transformer (10), to establish an electrostatic field. The transformer introduces an inductive component to the load. A control circuit (40) is arranged to respond to the current demanded by this inductive load and disconnect the load from the line supply, or mains, in a predetermined program designed to protect the components of the system, yet reconnect the load to the supply as frequently as practical.