The Effect of the Number of Elements on Leakage Currents in Iced String Insulators

Abstract

String insulators are of critical importance for the insulation and safety of electrical transmission and distribution lines. In regions where winter conditions are intense, the icing factor negatively affects the performance of string insulators. Icing reduces the resistance of the insulator surface and reduces the insulation property, resulting in an increase in leakage currents. This situation poses a danger for the continuity of transmission and distribution lines by causing insulator damage. In this study, the analysis of leakage currents of iced porcelain string insulators according to the number of elements was performed. An alternating voltage of 20 kV was applied to the iced string insulators; leakage currents were obtained with the help of the LabVIEW program, and the effect of the number of elements of the string insulator on leakage currents was compared using experimental data. The relationship between the number of elements of the insulators and the number of leakage current pulses was examined. © 2024 IEEE.