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Abstract— In order to identify possible shortcomings at design
and manufacturing level, polymeric insulators are subjected to
various tests at the laboratory established in ANSI C29.13-2000
[1] and IEC 61109-1995 [2] norms. One of these are
environmental, which is done via simulations in laboratories, but
these never become so severe and demanding as the present
Natural Lab.
conditions of operation in the field. Therefore, this research “Caño Sagua”
develops a methodology to evaluate different designs of polymeric
insulators (silicone rubber) suspension type with galvanized steel
hardware, aluminum and polymer coated in a natural
environment. For this, a specific area was available where
environmental conditions are the most severe on the west coast of
Zulia State, located north of the Venezuela Guajira, and
establishing it as a Natural Laboratory. As a result
recommendations were established for the characteristics of
polymeric insulators to be used in the distribution network in the
Zulia region, in order to obtain the highest reliability through the
useful life.
I. INTRODUCTION
TABLE III
METALLIC ELEMENT STATUS
Metallic Element
The hardware are in optimal conditions. No corrosion
Good
present.
The hardware have galvanized loss or material loss, with
Regular
spots of oxidation until the emergence of bubbles.
Corrosion is present. In the fittings of the chain begins the
Poor
appearance of flakes and the expansion of the section.
Corrosion is present. The hardware has a thickness loss
Critical
until almost complete loss of the element.
C. Insulators Dissection
The objective of this dissection is to evaluate the outcome
of the manufacture process and validate whether there is an
asymmetry between the fiberglass core and the polymeric
Fig. 4. Graphics of the Natural Laboratory. cover. Additionally, it evaluates the thickness of the polymeric
cover where it is recommended that this should have at least 2
In order to obtain results of the behavior of insulators of mm thick above glass fiber core, for insulators up to 34.5 kV
different designs, samples were installed along the entire isolators (see figure 5).
branch. Table I shows a summary of environmental conditions
of this natural laboratory, which highlights the result of the
contamination level, which was carried out with the Polymer
methodology of the ESDD (Equivalent Salt Deposit Density) Cover
for a period of 5 years.
Disc
TABLE I
NATURAL LABORATORY CHARACTERISTICS
Natural Lab.
Parameter Fiberglass Core,
“Caño Sagua”
Weather Arid Symmetrically Centered
ºC Temperature Range 27 – 32 ºC
Precipitation Level 400 to 800 mm Fig. 5. Insulator Cross-Section.
Humidity 75 to 80%
Wind Speed 4 to 6 m/sec
Presence of "Sand Blasting" yes D. Polymer Union - Fiberglass – Hardware
Maximum level of DESD (mg/cm2) measured 0,4406 This is one of the most critical points of polymeric
On top of Very High
Pollution level according to IEC 60815
(0,3000 mg/cm2)
insulators since this material combines three materials
Nominal tension level (f-f) 23,9 kV generating an interface. This union is visually inspected and
Maximum tension level (f-f) 25 kV validated if there was any deformation or moisture
Laboratory initiation July 2002 penetration. Figures 6, 7 and 8 show the three (3) types.
B. Polymer and Hardware Visual Inspection
Within the methodology evaluation of the insulators
mounted on field, the visual inspection is to detect failures in Polymer Union -–
Fiberglass – Hardware
polymeric insulation, as well as the metal parts (hardware).
Galvanized Steel
For this it was established a matrix of qualitative evaluation. Hardware
In Tables II and III establishes the yardstick of the insulating
material and metallic polymer insulator. Hardware-Eye
TABLE II
INSULATING ELEMENT STATUS
Insulator Element
It presents no visual traces of fading, hardening, brittleness
Good
or loss of gloss.
It is observed degradation due to degradation process as Disc
Regular Glass Fiber
changes of discoloration and loss of gloss.
Core Silicon Rubber
It presents degradation, loss of hydrophobicity, localized
Poor
downloads, brittleness, hardness, erosion and small cracks.
Critical
Damage to the insulation, surface discharges, erosion Fig. 6. Polymer Union - Fiberglass – Hardware, Model A.
effects, deep cracks and the insulation rupture.
4
VII. REFERENCES
Standards:
[1] ANSI C29.13-2000, “American Nacional Standard for Insulator –
Composite Distribution Deadend Type”.
[2] IEC 61109-1995, “Composite insulators for A.C. overhead lines with a
nominal voltage greater than 1000 V, Definitions, Test Methods and
Acceptance Criteria”.
[3] IEC 60815-1986, “Guide for the selection of insulators in respect of
polluted conditions“.
VIII. BIOGRAPHIES
Augusto Abreu, Electrical Engineer
Fig. 13. C-1 Erosion, C-2 Drilling, graduated from the Rafael Urdaneta
C-3 and C-4 Separation of Polymer and Hardware. University, in 1997. His professional
experience goes from planning Network
VI. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS Transition and Distribution, Power
The use of insulating materials with hydrophobic properties Quality Survey, Forensic Engineering,
allows the reduction of the leak distance improves the Distribution Network Maintenance,
insulation coordination and reduces washing maintenance Materials Technical Specifications, and
costs as it requires no artificial washing. Evaluations of Material Quality. Currently he works as a
In function of the learning obtained through field tests on Conceptual Engineer T&D in the electric utility “Energía
polymeric insulators, suspension or tie type, it was found a Eléctrica de Venezuela (ENELVEN)”. He belongs to the team
good performance with respect to the silicon rubber insulation, that is preparing the technical standards from Venezuela
and with the characteristics established in the DS-28 insulators CODELECTRA.
of the norm ANSI C29. 13-2000 (model A ). E-mail: aabreu@enelven.com.ve
For the case evaluated and depending on the results augustoabreu@cantv.net
obtained, it was decided to reduce the leak distance of 863.60 augustoabreu@hotmail.com
mm used with two ceramic bells to 550 mm with a polymeric
insulator without the need to do preventive maintenance
(wash).
The use of insulators with galvanized steel hardware with
95 microns thick for the entire northwestern region of
Venezuela, except for the region of La Guajira, where it is
recommended the use of polymeric insulators with aluminum
alloy hardware because of the high levels of corrosion.
Obviates the use of insulators with hardware polymer
covered completely by both galvanized steel ring stainless
steel led to a mechanical cause failure at the junction polymer
- glass fiber – hardware (model B ).
Also not recommended for use insulators with polymer
partially covered hardware because there is no adhesion
between two materials which allows moisture penetration
(model C ).
It is recommend the application of the methodology
developed in this work in regions of the world where
environmental conditions such as environmental pollution,
corrosion and sand blasting are present in an extreme way, and
it is required to implement new designs for polymeric
insulators, in order to detect faults and improvement points
before mass implementation.