Ultraviolet pulse pattern for different types of insulator material during surface discharge activities

Abstract

In the past, there were several different types of discharge detection methods that have been employed for the detection and monitoring of surface discharge activities at transmission line insulators. However, the existing detection system does not work well when the discharge activity is weak and sensitive to surrounding temperature and environmental conditions. The recent development of surface discharge detection devices that have been employed currently are ultraviolet (UV) imaging and UV pulse devices but the former is known to be expensive. In this paper, a UV pulse sensor which is known as the R2868 UVTRON Flame Sensor has been employed to assess the effectiveness of the sensor for detecting the electrical discharge activity of the insulator surface. The samples used for the electrical discharge generation testing and measurement are the 11 kV glass and porcelain pin-type insulators. The tests have been conducted by exposing both the insulations to dry and wet conditions with each of them subjected to a variety of applied voltages across the samples. It was concluded that the experimental works had been successfully conducted and the sensor was sensitive and effective in detecting the electrical discharge activities on both two samples.