Sensing Method Using Multiple Quantities for Diagnostic of Insulators in Different Ambient Conditions

Insulators are one of the many components responsible for the reliability of electricity supply as part of transmission and distribution lines. Failure of the insulator can cause considerable economic problems that are much greater than the insulator cost. When the failure occurs on the transmission line, a large area can be without electricity supply or other transmission lines will be overloaded. Because of the consequences of the insulator’s failure, diagnostics of the insulator plays a significant role in the reliability of the power supply. Basic diagnostic methods require experienced personnel, and inspection requires moving in the field. New diagnostic methods require online measurement if it is possible. Diagnostic by measuring the leakage current flowing on the surface of the insulator is well known. However, many other quantities can be used as a good tool for diagnostics of insulators. We present in this article results obtained on the investigated porcelain insulators that are one of the most used insulation materials for housing the insulator’s core. Leakage current, dielectric loss factor, capacity, and electric charge are used as diagnostic quantities to investigate porcelain insulators in different pollution conditions and different ambient relative humidity. Pollution and humidity are the main factors that decrease the insulator´s electric strength and reliability.