Electric field analysis of polymer insulators for various geometrical configurations

Abstract

Present days, electrical field distribution is the region of major concern in the service life of polymeric Insulators. Numerous methodologies are suggested to analyze the electric field along the insulators both experimentally and numerically of which the former might be more time consuming, requiring a number of trial-error tests to decide the optimum dimensions. The dawn of super computers makes numerical analysis feasible on any intricate geometry. Insulators will degrade and fail due to the existence of higher electrical stresses. These electrical stresses can be minimized with change in the geometrical configurations of the insulator. Here in this paper, with the help of FEMM 2D software package 11kV and 33kV polymer insulators are designed and electric field distribution at different critical points is analyzed. The electric stresses are reduced with the change in the geometrical configurations mainly the size and shape of the insulator. Results are compared between the actual design of the insulator and the insulator with the change in the geometrical configurations. It is observed that the insulator with change in geometrical configurations gives better field results.