Potential Distribution Along a 500kV Polymer Insulator in Presence of a Pollution Layer

D. S. Lopes [1], J. M. B. Bezerra [1],
[1] Universidade Federal de Pernambuco, Recife, PE, Brazil.
Published in 2015

The objective of this study is to assess polymeric insulators subjected to polluted environments. The study cases were conducted on polymeric insulators of 500 kV lines. All analyses were carried out with computer simulations, employing the software COMSOL Multiphysics® to calculate the voltage distribution on the surface of the insulators with deposits of pollution layers. Pollution in the presence of moisture generates partial discharges that can lead to the total collapse of these units, causing great concern to the electricity sector regarding the system. Important conclusions have been obtained, which contribute to the assessment of these events.