Textured Polymeric Insulators for Application at 400 kV by Maurizio Albano

Polymeric insulators are subject to aggressive service conditions such as pollution, temperature variations, corona and partial discharges, dry-band arcs and UV. Usually, leakage current on a polluted polymeric insulator has highest density in the shank sections and joule heating is also highest in these regions leading to risk of dry-band formation and damage from surface discharges. Textured insulator surfaces have now been introduced to reduce dry banding along insulator profiles and improve flashover performance. This presentation reviews progress on an innovative silicone insulator design and its potential application for 400 kV overhead lines. Laboratory findings with prototypes and on-going research are also presented.