system interruptions has

been one of the major cause

of concern for power system
engineers across the globe.
The problem adds on to the
severity critically in urban
areas where power outages
directly implies severe
financial crunch
1
Diagnostics for Non-ceramic
Insulators in
Harsh Environments
2
Abdul Aziz 28
Md Azam 27
Nadeem Ahmad 30
appendix
Need for Insulator Pollution Diagnostic
Why non ceramic insulators
Objective of the presentation
Charecteristic of non ceramic insulators
Corona Inspections
Measurement of electric-field
distributuion along the insulators.
References and source of information.
3
Need for Insulator Pollution diagnostic

1. Sharp radii of curvature is avoided to
reduce electrical stress.

2. Porcelain insulators to be glazed and made
free from rough particles and unevenness

3. Internal bubbles that allow partial discharge
and put the insulator at risk of explosion
and failure needs to be avoided.

4. Shed and creepage play such a vital role
that in areas of high pollution, areas of
airborne sea salts, icing and bird risk
areas are varied to accommodate for the
environmental effect on the same.

4
Need for Insulator Pollution diagnostic

1. Effects
a) the radius of curvature
b) Creepage Length
and Hence Insulation

2. In severe circumstances it may lead to the
development of holes or pores in the
insulators curbing the entire purpose of
insulators.
Ever Growing Pollution Damage to the Insulators.

5
In highly polluted areas
utilities must perform preventative
maintenance, otherwise system
outages will occur.
Some ceramic insulators are being
used in highly polluted areas but
erosion on these insulators has
limited their use in these regions.
Main reason for use of
Non- ceramic insulators- reduction of
maintenance needed to keep a line in
service in polluted regions
Analysis of air pollution on Insulator
efficiency
6
Objective of the presentation
the useful lifetime of the insulators
depends largely on the pollution
Conditions
to
inspect the insulators on a regular
Cycle becomes all the more important

The presentation discusses several
diagnostic techniques that can be applied
to detect risky conditions before
Failure.

To ensure insulator prevention and diagnostic
of environmental effect on the same is the
core of the presentation
7
Characteristics of Nonceramic Insulators
Installed.
8
Characteristics of Nonceramic Insulators
Installed.
The insulators installed on a 230-kV line in
polluted regions
Is as shown in the table

The line operates at a maximum of 245
kV phase-to-phase and this voltage is used for
calculating the creepage distance (mm/kVp-p)

Insulators on two structures in the region of
highest pollution level were monitored for
leakage current, the number and magnitude of
leakage current peaks are logged using
custom monitor
9
The Salt Fog Analysis Test
Salt-fog tests at 14 and 112 kg/m3 and clean
fog tests were done on insulators removed
after 8, 18, 25, 36 and 45 months of service.

It was verified that the flashover voltage was
lower when the ESDD and the corresponding
leakage current
measurements were lower.
10
CORONA- Inspection
Definition - An electric discharge on account of ionization of
a fluid around a conductor which in turn takes place on
account of high voltage.

The first corona inspection- Used a DayCor II corona
camera showed no corona on any of the transmission line
insulators.

Inspection of 2004 revealed corona around the
high voltage end of type NC-2 and NCI-3 insulators as shown

No corona was evident on type NC-1 insulators
11
CORONA- Inspection
In 2006, the inspection identified corona activity on the same
insulators, as shown


12
Measurement of electric-field distributuion
along the insulators.
Basic Principle- Insulator damage is
assumed to affect the electric field. An
example of electric field measurement is as
shown.

The composite insulator tester can be used

The measured data are stored in the
memory of the tester which is later
transferred to a computer.

According to the shape of the curve it may
be determined if the insulator is damaged.
13
A close-up Inspection of the insulator
Damage
2006 Analysis
2003 Analysis
14
Simulation of Electric Field along the
Insulators
Without Pollution
Figure-
15
Simulation of Electric Field along the
Insulators
Without Pollution
Figure-
16
CONCLUSION
The effect of pollution on Electric field
distribution in non ceramic insulators can be
studied, analysed and timely replacement of
insulator is feasible.

The results obtained indicate that the useful life
of non-ceramic insulators installed in polluted
regions depends largely on the actual
conditions of pollution

The reason for using non-ceramic insulators in
polluted regions is the reduction of maintenance.

It is advisable to inspect the insulators on a
regular cycle.

These inspections will help detect insulators at
risk of failing and help maintain the reliability of
an overhead line.
17
References
References
[1] G. Montoya-Tena, R. Hernandez-Corona,
and I. Ramirez Vazquez, Experiences
on pollution level measurement in Mexico,
Electr. Power Syst.
Res., vol. 76, pp. 5866, 2005.

[2] R. Hackam, Outdoor HV composite
polymeric insulators, IEEE Trans.
Dielectr. Electr. Insul., vol. 6, pp. 557585,
1999.

[3] R. S. Gorur, E. A. Cherney, and J. T.
Burnham, Outdoor Insulators. Phoenix,
AZ: Ravi S. Gorur, Inc., 1999, pp. 131144.
18
References
[4] Working Group 22.03: Insulators, Review of in
service diagnostic testing
of composite insulators, Electra, no. 169, pp. 105
119, 1996.

[5] Guide for the Selection of Insulators in Respect of
Polluted Conditions,
IEC 60815, 1986.

[6] J. L., Fierro-Chavez, I. Ramirez-Vazquez, and G.
Montoya-Tena, Online leakage current monitoring of
400 kV insulator string in polluted areas,

[6] IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine Vol 25, 2009,
Pg No 28-33
19
Thank You
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