Alumina Trihydrate Effect on Flashover Voltage of Polyester Insulators by Whale Optimization Algorithm Technique

Abstract

Ceramic materials are commonly used as outdoor insulators for high-voltage power transmission lines. Presently, these ceramic insulators are replaced by composite polymeric insulators with polyester, especially in rainy areas. Unlike ceramic materials, polymer materials have a shorter life, so fillers are used to improve their physical and chemical properties. This paper aims to improve the flashover voltage performance of polyester loaded with Alumina Trihydrate filler in wet weather condition. Due to the high cost of raw materials (polyester and Alumina Trihydrate filler), the Whale Optimization Algorithm model was used to predict the best concentration of Alumina Trihydrate filler to give the best value of flashover voltage. The model is based on experimental data of flashover voltage measurements. A positive correlation of the calculations from the Whale Optimization Algorithm model with experimental data has been demonstrated. The results showed that the flashover voltage performance of polyester is increased with the increase of Alumina Trihydrate filler concentration. Also, the optimum concentration of Alumina Trihydrate filler and flashover values predicted by the MATLAB Whale Optimization Algorithm are very accurate.