Transmission line insulators perform two tasks. They electrically isolate transmission lines from the ground and they provide mechanical support to conductors. HV Engineers are involved in different types of insulator testing so as to ensure the reliability and proper working of power systems.
Today you’ll learn about top 10 Insulator tests that are performed on transmission line insulators. These tests are classified into design, performance, and routine tests.
Contents
Design Tests
A design test on insulators typically refers to a set of evaluations and assessments conducted to ensure the effectiveness and reliability of insulators used in electrical systems.
50% Dry Flashover test
- The insulator is mounted in a working condition.
- An impulse voltage of 1/50 µsec is applied.
- Voltage is gradually increased to 50% of impulse flashover voltage.
- The polarity of impulse is reversed and again previous steps are repeated.
- Insulator should remain safe.
Withstand test
- Insulator should be mounted just like practical working conditions.
- A standard wave of 1/50 µsec is applied.
- Reverse the polarity.
- Repeat the test 5 times for each polarity.
- If insulator stays safe from flashover and punctures it is considered to be safe.
Dry flashover
- Mount the insulator just like it is mounted in a practical environment.
- Gradually increase the voltage to a specific prescribed value.
- Maintain the voltage for one minute (Insulator should remain safe).
- Increase the voltage until flashover occurs.
- Repeat the step 4 for ten times (A well-designed insulator will not get damaged).
Wet flashover
- Spray the water to the insulator under artificial rain conditions. *
- Apply the prescribed rain voltage to the insulator and maintain it for one minute.
- Increase the voltage gradually till flashover occurs.
- Repeat the step 3 for ten times.
- A well-designed insulator should stay safe from punctures.
* Direction angle = 45° | Precipitation rate = 3 ± 10% mm/min | Water conductivity = 100 µS | Ambient temp of water = 15° C
Visible discharge tests
- Apply the specified voltage to the insulator.
- Keep it in dark.
- Wait for the specified time.
- There should be no visible corona on the insulator.
Performance test
Mechanical loading test
Electromechanical test
- Apply 2.5 times the maximum working tension for minute.
- Meanwhile, apply 75% of the dry flashover voltage.
- Insulator should stay safe without damage.
Temperature test
- Take a bathtub and fill it with normal water.
- Take other bathtubs and fill it with water having temperature 70° higher than normal.
- Immerse the insulator in hot water bath for X minutes.
- Repeat the step 2 and 3 five times.
- The insulator glaze should stay safe.
where X = (15 + 0.735 W), where W = Weight of insulator in kg
Porosity test
- Break down the insulator into small pieces.
- Immerse it in 0.5% alcoholic solution under pressure of 2000 lbf for 24 hours.
- Break the insulator into further pieces.
- There should be no impregnation.
Puncture test
- Apply 1/50 µsec impulse negative polarity voltage to insulator having amplitude 2 times of the 50% impulse flashover.
- Repeat the above for mentioned times.
- Repeat the steps for 2.5 times of impulse wave.
- Repeat the steps for 3 times, and then gradually increase to 3.5, 4, and so on until the insulator is punctured. The insulator should not puncture below the specified voltage.
Routine tests
Mechanical routine test
- Suspend the insulator for one minute.
- Apply the 20% excess tensile load.
- The insulator should stay safe.
Let’s watch this video on Insulator testing: