TESTING OF INSULATORS
Insulators used on overhead lines are subjected to test to ascertain the mechanical strength of the
insulator to withstand the load conditions, large dielectric strength to withstand the normal operating
voltage and usual over voltage. The method of testing insulators is divided into three categories, namely;
flash-over tests, performance tests and routine tests.
(1) FLASH-OVER TEST.
(a) Dry flash over test: this test is performed to determine dry flash over voltage by applying
gradually increasing voltage between the electrodes of the insulator mounted in a manner in
which it is to be used, till the breakdown of sounding air with formation of a sustained are
occurs. This test is repeated 5 to 10 times.
(b) Wet flash over test: This test is similar to dry flash over test but under clean artificial rain of
specified resistance and temperature. The angle and rate at which the rain falls are also
specified. If the resistivity of pure water is high, it may be reduced by adding small quantities
of a mineral salt or an inorganic acid.
(c) Impulse frequency flash over test: In this test a generator developing lightning voltage is
used. It develops very high voltages at frequency of several hundred KHz. Such a voltage is
applied to the insulator and the spark over voltage is noted.
(2) PERFORMANCE TEST.
(a) Puncture test: In this test, the insulator is totally immersed in an insulating oil and is subjected
to the voltage being gradually increased till the puncture takes place. The voltage at which
conduction begins is called the puncture voltage.
(b) Porosity test: This is a test of the glaze on porcelain insulators. The insulator is weighed and
immersed in water under pressure for 24hours and then reweighed. Any increase in weight
indicates the increase of water due to imperfect glazing.
(c) Electro-mechanical test: This test is performed with suspension type insulators only and in
this test, the insulators are subjected to a power frequency voltage equal to 75% of their dry
flash over voltage and simultaneously to a tensile load equal to one half of the specified
minimum failing load.
(d) Mechanical test: This test is performed on pin type insulators to determine their ultimate
mechanical strength. In this test, the pin type insulator is mounted on a rapidly fixed pin
capable of withstanding, without appreciable deformation, the loads to which it is subjected
during test.
(3) ROUTINE TEST.
(a) High voltage test: In this test, the pin insulators are inverted and are put into water up to the
neck. The water is also put into the spindle hole. Then high voltage is applied for about
5minutes, and there should be no damage to the insulator after carrying out this test.
(b) Corrosion test: In this test the insulator with its fillings is suspended in a cooper sulphate
solution at 150C for one minute. Then the insulator is removed, wiped, cleaned and again put
1
in the copper sulphate solution. This is repeated four times and on examination, there should
not be any deposition of metal over it.
(c) Proof load test: In this test, all types of insulators are assembled and then subjected to tensile
load which is 20 – 25% in excess of the normal tensile load which the insulators are likely to
encounter in actual operation. This load is applied for duration of one minute only.
VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION OVER A STRING OF SUSPENSION INSULATORS.
The voltage distribution over a string of identical suspension insulator is not uniform due to the
capacitances formed in the air between each cap or pin junction and the earthed metal towers.
ANALYSIS
Cross Arm
C V1
C1 I1
i1 A
C V2
Tower C1 I2
i2 B V
C V3
C1 I3
i3 C
C V4
C1 I3
I4 D
Line Conductor
The above diagram shows the equivalent circuit for a four disc string.
Let the self capacitance of each disc be C. Also let assume that shunt capacitance C1 is some fraction K
of self capacitance i.e. C1 = KC.
Note that the value of K is low for longer strings and high for shorter strings. In practice K varies from
0.1 to 0.1667.
2
Applying kirchhoff’s current law to node A,
I2 = I1 + i1
V2wC = V1wC + V1wC1
V2wC = V1wC + V1wKC
V2 = V1 (1 + K)
Node B;
I3 = I2 + i2
V3wC = V2wC + (V1 + V2)wKC
V3 = V2 + (V1 + V2)K
V3 = V1(1 + K) + ( V1 + [1+K]V1)K
= V1 + V1K + (V1 + V1 + V1K)K
= V1 + V1K + V1K + V1K + V1K2
= V1 + 3V1K + V1K2
= V1(1 + 3K + K2)
Node C;
I4 = I3 + i3
V4wC = V3wC + (V1 + V2 + V3)wKC
V4 = V3 + (V1 + V2 + V3)K
= V1(1 + 3K + K2) + V1K + V2K + V3K
= V1 + V13K + V1K2 + V1K + V1(1 +K)K + V1(1 +3K + K2)K
= V1 + V13K + V1K2 + V1K + V1K + V1K2 + V1K + V13K2 + V1K3
= V1(1 +3K + K2 + K + K + K2 + K + 3K2 + K3)
= V1(1 + 6K + 5K2 + K3)
Voltage between conductor and earth is V = V1 + V2 + V3 + V4
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𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑡ℎ𝑒 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔
Note: String efficiency = X 100
𝑛 𝑋 𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑑𝑖𝑠𝑐 𝑛𝑒𝑎𝑟𝑒𝑠𝑡 𝑡𝑜 𝑐𝑜𝑛𝑑𝑢𝑐𝑡𝑜𝑟
Where n = number of disc in the string.
Example: In a 33KV overhead line, there are four units in the string of insulators. If the capacitance between each
insulator pin and earth is 10% of self capacitance of each insulator. Find (a) the distribution of voltage over the
three insulators, (b) string efficiency
Solution
Cross Arm
C V1
C1 I1
i1 A
C V2
Tower C1 I2
i2 B V
C V3
C1 I3
i3 C
C V4
C1 I3
I4 D
Line Conductor
K = 10% = 0.1
Number of disc in the string, n = 4
33
Voltage across string, V = = 19.053KV
√3
Node A
I2 = I1 + i1
V2wC = V1wC + V1wC1
V2wC = V1wC + V1wKC
V2 = V1 (1 + K)
= V1 (1 + 0.1) = 1.1 V1
4
Node B;
I3 = I2 + i2
V3wC = V2wC + (V1 + V2)wKC
V3 = V2 + (V1 + V2)K
V3 = 1.1V1 + ( V1 + 1.1V1) 0.1
= 1.1V1 + (2.1V1) 0.1
= 1.1V1 + 0.2V1 = 1.31V1
Node C;
I4 = I3 + i3
V4wC = V3wC + (V1 + V2 + V3)wKC
V4 = V3 + (V1 + V2 + V3)K
= 1.31V1 + (V1 + 1.1V1 + 1.3V1)0.1
= 1.31V1 + 0.1V1 + 0.11V1 + 0.13V1
= 1.65V1
(a) Voltage across the whole string is given as,
V = V1 + V2 + V3 + V4
19.053 = V1 + 1.1V1 + 1.31V1 + 1.65V1
19.053 = 5.06V1
19.053
V1 = = 3.765KV
5.06
V2 = 1.1V1 = 1.1 X 3.765 = 4.142KV
V3 = 1.31V1 = 1.31 X 3.765 = 4.932KV
V4 = 1.65V1 = 1.65 X 3.765 = 6.212KV
𝑣𝑜𝑙𝑡𝑎𝑔𝑒 𝑎𝑐𝑟𝑜𝑠𝑠 𝑠𝑡𝑟𝑖𝑛𝑔
(b) String efficiency = X 100
𝑛 𝑋 𝑉4
19.053
= X 100
4 𝑋 6.212
= 76.68%
