The performance of polymeric insulators which are being used in high transmission and distribution lines in the arid desert climate of south Libya

Abstract

Libya currently, Polymers have huge production and are therefore enormously used especially in electrical applications. In the overhead transmission and distribution lines polymeric insulators are used in large quantities. The environmentally or naturally induced degradation mechanisms are creating major problems for the electrical properties of these polymeric insulators. The current study was conducted by the author in order to determine the condition of non-ceramic insulators that various power companies in Libya use. This experimental research was done to investigate the suitability of these polymeric insulators. The primary aim was to assess the performance of polymeric insulators which are being used in high transmission and distribution lines in the arid desert climate in the southern Al-Jufra region in Libya. The impacts of enormous heat and ultraviolet radiations on these polymeric insulators were studied. The accelerated aging test chamber was specially designed to achieve the objectives. The aging insulators' electrical strength (withstand) was then compared with the new polymeric insulators. The Dielectric performance indicated that Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) insulators overtake the Silicon Rubber (SiR) insulators. Correspondingly an optical result shows that the surface roughness of the aged sample in the SiR case is more in contrast with the new insulators. However, very minor surface roughness was found in the case of aged TPE insulators over the equivalent aging period. The enhanced surface roughness of aged SiR Insulators might impact the dielectric performance after their exposure for a lengthy period in local environmental conditions.