AC flashover performance of various types of insulators under fan-shaped non-uniform pollution

Abstract

Previous simulation and observations showed that, the air flow field at windward and leeward side of insulator string will probably be different if the wind velocity is over a certain value, and thus causing the imparity of contamination degree at the two sides. In this paper, fan-shaped non-uniform polluting method was used to artificially simulate the different pollution severity at windward and leeward side of insulator string. Then, the effects of fan-shaped non-uniform pollution on ac flashover performance of 5 types of insulators were discussed. Test results indicate that, SDD, the ratio SDD of windward to leeward side (W/L), the occupation ratio of leeward side (k), will affect the ac flashover performance of insulator string. U 50 and SDD still can be expressed by the negative power function. A reduction in W/L from 1/1 to 1/15 would give a decrease about 23% in a value, which causes U 50 reducing about 25%, but n value changes little. The correction method proposed by EPRI is also applicable for fan-shaped non-uniform pollution, but has difference. A larger creepage distance of insulator does not mean that the creepage distance utilization rate is higher. Due to the influence of fan-shaped non-uniform pollution, the existing insulation configuration of transmission lines in heavily polluted areas may not satisfy the required insulation margin. The results have certain reference significance for the design and selection of transmission line external insulation.