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I. INTRODUCTION
II. E-FIELD DISTRIBUTION ON COMPOSITE INSULATORS discussion will provide generalized information that relates to
The E-field distribution on the surface of, and within com- the E-field distribution of most transmission line applications.
posite insulators is a function of numerous parameters including It should be kept in mind that there are applications, both on
applied voltage, insulator design, tower configuration, corona transmission lines and in substations, where the E-field distri-
ring and hardware design, phase spacing, etc. The following butions will differ from those that will be presented.
In general, the E-field magnitudes are larger close to the en-
ergized and grounded ends of a composite insulator. Typically
Manuscript received May 25, 2005; revised December 4, 2006. This paper the energized end is subjected to the highest field magnitudes
was developed by the IEEE Task Force on Electric Fields and Composite Insu- [1]–[4]. In some cases the position of highest E-field occurs ad-
lators. The main authors were A.J. Phillips and J. Kuffel with contributions and jacent to the end fittings, while in other cases it may occur within
review by the other authors. Paper no. TPWRD-00313-2005.
A. J. Phillips is with the Electric Power Research Institute, Charlotte, NC a short distance of the end fitting. The case where the position
28262 USA (e-mail: aphillip@epri.com). of highest E-field magnitude occurs adjacent to the end fitting
J. Kuffel is with the University of Manitoba, Winnipeg, MB R3T 2N2 Canada is illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 1 shows a shaded plot of the E-field
(e-mail: kuffelj@cc.umanitoba.ca).
Color versions of one or more of the figures in this paper are available online
magnitude distribution on the polymer weather-shed surface of
at http://ieeexplore.ieee.org. a suspension composite insulator as well as lines of equal po-
Digital Object Identifier 10.1109/TPWRD.2007.911127 tential surrounding the unit.
0885-8977/$25.00 © 2007 IEEE
824 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, VOL. 23, NO. 2, APRIL 2008
Fig. 2. Example of the normalized E-field magnitude within the fiberglass rod
of a suspension I-string 115 kV composite insulator determined using 3-D fi-
nite element modeling. The axial measurement line starts at the energized end
Fig. 3. E-field profile measured along a suspension 500 kV Vee-string com-
fitting and ends at the grounded end fitting. The E-field is normalized against
posite insulator using a field probe. The unit has a corona ring in place on both
the maximum value and the distance along the insulator is normalized against
the live and grounded ends [8].
the length of the insulator.
As can be seen from Fig. 1 the magnitude of the E-field close 4) the geometry of the attachment hardware, conductor bun-
to the energized end is higher than that at the grounded end. It dles, grounded hardware and grounded structure;
can also be seen from the equipotential lines surrounding the 5) the orientation of the insulator and its physical relation-
insulator that the direction of the E-field is predominantly along ship to the attachment hardware, corona rings, conductor
the axis of the insulator. bundle, grounded hardware and line structure;
Fig. 2 is a plot of the normalized E-field magnitude within the 6) value of the energized line voltage;
fiberglass rod measured along an axial line. As can be seen from 7) presence of nearby phases and their energized voltages;
Fig. 2 the E-field magnitude is high at the energized end and 8) presence of the earth.
reduces exponentially along the insulator length. The magnitude Each of these parameters must be taken into account when
increases again at the grounded end but to a far lesser extent. determining the E-field distribution through either modeling or
Numerous field observations and results from accelerated measurement techniques. Depending on the specific case the
aging tests have shown that E-fields play a significant role in impacts of variations in these parameters will vary. When de-
the degradation of polymer material. As such, the E-field is termining the E-field through modeling or measurements, it is
recognized as a significant factor in the aging mechanisms of important to determine which of these needs to be accounted for
NCIs [5]–[7]. and to what degree.
The E-field distribution indicated in Fig. 2 is the norm for Since the E-field distribution is dependant on a wide range of
most applications of composite insulators. However, there are parameters, identical composite insulators applied in different
a significant number of applications where this may not be the situations will have different E-field distributions. Similarly, dif-
case. The most common of these occurs in overhead transmis- ferent composite insulator designs applied in the same situation
sion line insulators equipped with corona rings. The application will have different E-field distributions.
of a corona ring may result in the highest E-field magnitude oc-
curring a short distance away from the end fitting rather than ad- IV. REGIONS OF INTEREST
jacent to it [1]. An example of this is illustrated in Fig. 3 which There are three main regions of interest when considering the
shows the magnitude of the E-field along the axis of one of the E-field distribution of composite insulators.
NCIs used in a Vee-string assembly which utilizes corona rings. 1) On the surface of, and in the air surrounding, the polymer
It can be seen in Fig. 3 that the presence of the corona rings weather-shed surface and surrounding the end-fitting seal
results in a shift of the position of highest E-field to a location [6]–[8].
3 sheds away from the live end fitting. On insulator assemblies 2) Within the fiberglass rod and polymer rubber weather-shed
utilizing corona rings, the location of the highest E-field is a material, as well as at the interfaces between these mate-
function of the size and location of the corona ring [1]. rials and the metal end fitting [10].
3) On the surface of, and in the air surrounding the metallic
III. FACTORS THAT INFLUENCE THE E-FIELD DISTRIBUTION end fittings and attached corona rings [8].
There are numerous factors that influence the E-field distri- If the E-field magnitude in any of the these three regions ex-
bution [1]. The most important of these include: ceeds critical values, excessively large magnitudes of, discharge
1) geometry of insulator; including weather-shed system, activity can ensue, and the long or short term performance of the
fiberglass rod and end fittings; insulator may be affected
2) electrical properties of polymer weather-shed, fiberglass There is a direct relationship between the E-field distribution
rod material and possibly semi-conductive grading [9]; and the resulting discharge activity on and within composite
3) the dimensions and position of the corona rings and their insulators. The presence, location and magnitude of discharges
attachment method; are a function of the magnitude and direction of the local E-field.
PHILLIPS et al.: ELECTRIC FIELDS ON AC COMPOSITE TRANSMISSION LINE INSULATORS 825
Fig. 5. Image of dry corona activity from the metallic end fitting of an in-ser-
vice 500 kV composite insulator installed without a corona ring.
The effect of the E-field distribution on discharge activity may
be categorized into four distinct sections:
D. Corona Activity From Metallic End-Fittings or Corona
A. Corona Discharges on the Surface of, or in Contact With, Rings
the Polymer Weather-Shed Material and/or End-Fitting Seals
Excessively high E-field magnitudes on the surface of and the
Corona activity, either under dry or wetting conditions, has area surrounding the energized and grounded metallic end fit-
been shown to result in degradation or changes in the surface tings and corona rings can result in corona activity under dry
properties of polymer weather-shed material. Fig. 4 is an ex- conditions. Corona activity also occurs from water drops at-
ample of such discharge activity. tached to the hardware in wet conditions as a result of localized
Under wetting conditions discharges can result due to en- enhancement of the E-field at the droplet tips. Corona activity
hancement of the E-field caused by high permittivity water results in radio interference and audible noise. Continuous dry
coming in contact with the surface of the rubber material [6], discharge activity near the rubber weather-shed system or end
[7], [11]. fitting seal can cause material degradation [12]–[14]. Fig. 5 is
Both research and field experience have shown that prolonged an example of such activity on a 500 kV string which was mis-
exposure to corona activity, regardless of its underlying cause, applied without a corona ring.
can damage NCIs.
V. CRITICAL E-FIELD VALUES
B. Dry Band Arcing Under Contaminated Conditions
In order to prevent or reduce the discharge activity discussed
Under critical wetting conditions, contaminated insulators in the previous section, the maximum magnitude of the E-field
may have leakage currents flowing on their surfaces. These should be kept below critical values. While there are no such
leakage currents cause dry band arcing, which can result in universally accepted values available, the following critical
damage to the insulator weathershed material. The potential for values have been mentioned in the literature. The values are for
occurrence and the magnitude of this dry band arcing are both dry uncontaminated composite insulators and are indicated in
influenced by the E-field magnitude. kV/cm (rms):
In the case of dc systems, high electrostatic forces result in • surface E-field magnitudes on weather-shed material and
contamination and moisture being drawn in the direction of the surrounding the end fitting seal 4.5 kV/cm (rms) measured
high E-field. This results in increased accumulation of contam- 0.5 mm above the surface of the sheath [1], [8];
inants in the high E-field magnitude regions, and therefore in- • internal to the fiberglass rod and rubber weather-shed ma-
creases the likelihood of dry band arcing. While important dc terial: 30 kV/cm (rms);
applications, this effect is secondary for insulators applied on • surface E-field magnitudes on the metallic end-fittings and
ac systems. corona rings: These should be controlled such that the unit
passes the radio interference/corona test indicated in ANSI,
C. Discharges Internal to the Fiberglass Rod and Polymer CEA, IEC standards and IEEE guide [15]–[20]. A surface
Weather-Shed Material or at the Interface Between the Rod E-field 21 kV/cm is often used as a reference value for
and Weather-Shed System design purposes. Some utilities utilize values as low as 17
kV/cm to account for corona activity from water drops on
If a critical E-field magnitude is exceeded in these areas, de- the metal hardware surfaces [20].
fects such as voids, inclusions or de-bonding may result in in- Since air density effects the corona onset E-field, correction
ternal discharge activity. This internal discharge activity may factors must be applied to the specified E-field magnitudes sur-
result in damage to the rod or weather-shed material, ultimately rounding the metallic end fittings and corona rings for applica-
resulting in either an electrical or mechanical failure [10]. tions at elevations significantly sea level [16], [17].
826 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, VOL. 23, NO. 2, APRIL 2008
Fig. 7. E-field magnitude in the air 0.5 mm above the sheath surface of a com-
posite insulator for 300 mm away from the energized end fitting. The E-field
magnitude profile is shown both with and without a corona ring.
TABLE I
COMPARISON OF GENERIC RECOMMENDATIONS OBTAINED FOR FOUR INSULATOR DESIGNS INDICATING WHAT RING SIZE TO USE (OUTER DIAMETER IS
INDICATED IN INCHES). IT SHOULD BE NOTED THAT THESE ARE GENERIC RECOMMENDATIONS; MANUFACTURERS MAY ADJUST RECOMMENDATIONS
FOR DIFFERENT CONFIGURATIONS OR SITUATIONS. THE 3 in RING INDICATED FOR MANUFACTURER Z IS PERMANENTLY ATTACHED TO THE END-FITTING
DURING MANUFACTURE ( MAY BE REQUIRED IN CERTAIN APPLICATIONS. SPECIAL DESIGN REQUIRED)
7) nearby phases;
8) the ground planes;
9) the voltages (potential) of the components being modeled.
The degree to which all of the above are taken into account
varies as a function of the region of interest and nature of the
configuration [1]. For example if one was interested in the
E-field distribution in the air surrounding the corona ring of a
500 kV insulator, it may not be necessary to take into account
the separate properties of the fiberglass rod and rubber. If one
was interested in the E-field distribution inside the rod itself,
one would need to take the different dielectric constants of the
Fig. 8. Corona activity from a 230 kV composite insulator applied in a non- rod and rubber into account.
standard application in a substation.
When each of these factors should be accounted for, and to
what degree, can be determined by sensitivity analyses . As
computing power becomes more accessible and affordable, it
will become increasingly more feasible to include greater de-
tail in the modeling to improve accuracy. Currently available
3-D BEM and FEM packages are difficult to use, and require
both a fundamental knowledge of electromagnetics and com-
puter aided drawing skills. The results presented in this paper
are drawn from analyses performed using several different soft-
ware packages utilized by the members of the IEEE Task Force
on E-fields on composite insulators.
Figs. 1 and 2 are examples of outputs of such modeling, while
Fig. 10 is an example of the geometry of a 500 kV model used
to determine the E-field distribution on suspension composite
insulators.
Fig. 9. Example of a corona ring installed backwards at 230 kV [23]. B. Measurement
The E-field distribution may be measured using a range of
techniques:
the boundary element method (BEM) [1], [2]. In order to obtain • by observing the deflection of a phosphor bronze wire
accurate results, the following need to be accounted for in the probe [25];
model: • electro-optic space potential probes [26];
1) the 3-D nature of the problem; • capacitive space potential probes [27].
2) dimensions and material properties of the composite insu- The measurement of E-field distribution has some limitations
lators; including:
3) the dimensions and position of the corona ring; • inability to measure in regions of interest (i.e., internal to
4) the dimensions and material properties of the structure; the insulator or close to the rubber weather-shed surface);
5) the conductor bundle; • distortion of the E-field being measured thus reducing ac-
6) the hardware that attaches the NCI to the conductor and curacy;
structure; • expensive and time consuming.
828 IEEE TRANSACTIONS ON POWER DELIVERY, VOL. 23, NO. 2, APRIL 2008
Fig. 12. Maximum E-field magnitudes (rms) on the sheath section of composite insulators modeled as a function of system voltage. (All models account only for
the presence of a single phase.) [29].
the conductor and insulator). Guidelines on the dimensions and [14] V. Moreno and R. Gorur, “Impact of corona on the long term perfor-
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vol. 10, no. 1, pp. 80–95, Feb. 2003.
vidual manufacturer for standard configurations. [15] American National Standard for Insulators—Composites—Suspension
Type, ANSI C29.12-1997 (R2002), ANSI, New York.
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