Investigations on AC pollution flashover performance of insulator string under different non‐uniform pollution conditions

Abstract

Observations of contamination tests showed that, the contamination distribution of insulators is usually uneven. In this study, the solid layer method was used to imitate different non-uniform pollution conditions and the AC pollution flashover tests of 7-unit insulators were carried out. The results indicate that the increase of uneven pollution degree J from 1 to 15 will give a 39% raise of U 50 under non-uniform pollution on top and bottom surfaces, a 23% decrease for fan-shaped non-uniform pollution and a 21% higher U 50 with ring-shaped non-uniform pollution. A higher occupation ratio (k) of leeward side will reduce U 50 under fan-shaped non-uniform pollution and a bigger radius R of heavy polluted area has certain effect on U 50 for ring-shaped non-uniform pollution. The U 50 and salt deposit density still can be expressed by the negative power function, and non-uniform pollution conditions and J have great effect on a, but less impact on n. The correction equations of different non-uniform pollution conditions are obtained and the relative errors are acceptable. The research has certain reference significance for the design and selection of AC transmission line external insulation.