A system for separating the components of an incoming oil-water mixture includes two electrode sets, one set arranged to apply an electrostatic field to an oil layer residing within a separator vessel and the other set arranged to apply an electrostatic field to the interface emulsion layer residing within the separator vessel. The first set of electrodes is in communication with a high voltage power source that ranges from 1 to 60 kV; the second set of electrodes is in communication with a low voltage power source that is no greater than 5 kV. Each set of electrodes may also be in communication with a second voltage source to provide increased power to promote effective coalescence. The system may also include power electronics to produce a variable amplitude and a variable frequency voltage supply to one or both electrode sets.