CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
1.1 Introduction

The insulation of overhead transmission lines and substations is subjected to several basic types
of abnormal conditions that can cause flashovers and outages of long duration. One of these
types is the abnormal voltage gradients in the insulation system caused by the contamination of
solid insulator surfaces. The number of insulators needed to protect against contamination is
uncertain, because there is a wide range in the severity of contamination, and there is
considerable uncertainty as to the basic mechanisms by which contamination affects the
insulation level of a given configuration. This paper outlines the results of investigations of
interfacial breakdown on electrolytic surfaces. Models are used to simulate such polluted
insulator problems. Effects of chemical nature of the contaminants and contamination levels on
the critical flasher voltage are studied. In order to study such effects, different salts and salt
combinations were used on the laboratory model. Single-arc and multiple-arc models are
introduced where the phenomena of multiple discharges existing simultaneously on an
electrolytic surface is also investigated. Mathematical models are suggested which include the
successive formation of multiple arcs. The results obtained based on the new model agree quite
well with the experimental values. Power line insulator pollution flashover is usually preceded
by the flow of appreciable leakage current. The magnitude of the leakage current depends on the
accumulated pollution on the insulator material and the ambient wetting of the pollution layer on
the insulator surface. The principal wetting processes are spray wetting, adsorption of moisture
from ambient air and condensation. Spray wetting can occur any time of day or night while
adsorption depends on the relative humidity of the air and the insulator temperature. While
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adsorption occurs at a constant temperature, the insulator surface must be cooler than the
ambient air for condensation to occur.

1.2 Insulators

General

The type of insulator used in the 132 KV overhead transmission lines is the suspension
insulators. The basic parts are the porcelain, pin, and cap as shown in figure 1.

Figure 1.1

Porcelain

The porcelain encased in the cap serves to maintain the insulation between the cap and pin. It
simultaneously transmits the mechanical load applied on the insulator from pin to cap. This
porcelain parts is very important from both the electrical and mechanical points of view and

maybe referred to as the heart of the insulator. The porcelain must be of sufficient thickness to
withstand the most power full lighting stroke.

Pin
The pins are normally of hot dip galvanized forged steel, where galvanic corrosion is extreme,
the porcelain surface around the pin is usually lea coated. The head is cemented to the inside of
the pin hole and the mechanical load applied to the pin is transmitted from the head of the pin to
porcelain and cap through the cement.
Cap
The cap encasing the porcelain head is of galvanized blackheart malleable cast iron or dropforged steel. The mechanical load applied to the pin is transmitted from the head of the pin
through the porcelain and cement and is borne by the inside of the caps lips.
Insulator Characteristics
The characteristics of the insulator used in the 132 KV transmission lines are shown on table 1.1
Area

Insulator type

Disc Diameter No. of units Length

of

x spacing(mm)

per string

string (mm)

Asir

Fog/suspension

254*146

1314

Baha

Fog/suspension

254*146

11

1606

Jizan

Aerodynamic/suspension 330*127

18

2286

Najran

Long rod

2020

Tihama

Aerodynamic/suspension 330*127

20

2540

Bisha

Aerodynamic/suspension 360*127

16

2032

155*1010

Number of Units
The insulator requirement of transmission lines are usually determined by lighting and switching
surges rather than the normal frequency voltage. Increasing the number of insulators units under
polluted atmospheric conditions should likewise be considered.

In addition to the above criteria, the increase of the number of units should also be considered
under the following condition:

1. To increase safety in places where it is difficult to inspect the insulators.

At the altitude of over 3300 ft (1000m) or in places with temperatures over 400 C , the insulators
level or flashover voltage value at normal condition shall be multiplied by the following factor:

For temperature above 400 C:

Multiplying factor = (273+t)/ 313

For altitude above 3300 ft (1000 m):

Multiplying factor = 1+ 0.03(H 3300) / 1000

The number of suspension insulator units as well as the necessary multiplying factors as applied
in the 132 KV transmission lines are shown on table 2.
Table 1.2 (132 KV transmission lines(Number of units)
Area

Altitude(m)

Max

No.of Max No. of Factors

units

units

altitude

Asir

2200

14

1.1175

Baha

2400

11

11

1.1372

Bisha

0-1200

16

16

1.0191

Jizan

18

18

Najran

0-1200

1.0191

Tihama

20

20

1.3 Insulators type

Pin-type insulators are applied on medium voltage overhead distribution lines for fixing
conductor to tower bodies. Production program process on this type of insulator group comprises
Pin-type 11 kV as ANSI norms up to 13 kV maximum service voltage level, Pin-type 20 kV as
ANSI norms for 24 kV maximum service voltage level, Pin-type 33 kV as ANSI norms for 36
kV maximum service voltage level. All Pin-type insulators are made of ceramic material IEC
672.

1- Pin type 11 kV

2- Pin type 20 kV

3- Pin type 33 kV

Pin type Insulator - 11kV

Figure 1.2

Technical Data ( Table 1.3 )

0301

Nominal Creepage Distance / mm

230
Wet / kV 30

Low Frequency Withstand Voltage

95

ANSI Class

55-4

Pin-type Insulator - 20 kV

Figure 1.3
Technical Data ( Table 1.4 )
Catalogue Number

0304-1

Leakage Distance / mm

432
Positive / kV

160

Negative / kV

225

Wet / kV

70

Dry / kV

110

Critical Impulse Flashover

Low Frequency Flashover Voltage

Low Frequency Puncture Voltage /kV

145
Test voltage to ground /kV 22

Radio Influence Voltage Data

13.6

Pin-type Insulator - 33 kV

Figure 1.4

Technical Data ( Table 1.5 )

0307-1

Leakage Distance / mm

686
Positive / kV

225

Negative/ kV

310

Wet / kV

95

Dry / kV

140

Critical Impulse Flashover / kV

Low Frequency Flashover Voltage

Low Frequency Puncture Voltage / kV

185
Test voltage to ground /kV

30

Max. RIV at 1000KHz /uV

16000

Radio Influence Voltage Data

Mechanical Failing Load / kN

13.6

Suspension Insulators

All suspension insulators are applied on medium and high voltage overhead transmission and
distribution lines and are used for suspension or tension of conductor to tower bodies.
Production program in this insulator group includes: Ball & Socket coupling normal type, Ball &
Socket

coupling

anti-fog

type,

and

Clevis

&

Tongue

coupling

normal

type.

This type of our insulator's porcelain shell passes routine test such as Thermal shock, Tension
proof and Electrical flashover test as well as IEC 383 type and sample test, IEC 797 residual
strength, IEC 575 thermal mechanical performance test, IEC 120 dimensions of ball & socket
coupling, IEC 372 locking device for ball & socket coupling and ANSI C29.2 impact test.

Other Suspension custom-made insulators can be supplied upon customer's request and
specifications.

Standard Ball & Socket

Anti-fog Ball & Socket

Tongue & Clevis

Standard Suspension Insulator - Ball & Socket

(Table 1.6 )

Technical Data
Catalogue Number
Porcelain

0201-70 0201-80

0201-100

0201-120

255

255

255

255

295

295

295

295

Disc

Diameter / mm
Creepage Distance /
mm
Minimum

Power

Dry / kV

75

75

75

75

Flashover

Frequency

Wet / kV

45

45

45

45

125

125

125

125

130

130

130

130

Positive

Voltage
kV
50 % Impulse
Negative /
kV
Withstand

Power

Dry / kV

70

70

70

70

Voltage

Frequency

Wet / kV

40

40

40

40

110

110

110

110

Impulse / kV

10

Anti-fog suspension Insulator - Ball & Socket

Technical Data (Table 1.7)

0206-80 0206-100 0206-120

Porcelain Disc Diameter / mm

255

255

255

Unit Spacing / mm

146

146

146

Creepage Distance / mm

432

432

432

Electromechanical Failing Load / kN

80

100

120

Average

Dry / kV

100

100

100

Flashover Voltage

Wet / kV

50

50

50

Dry / kV

80

80

80

Withstand

Wet / kV

45

45

45

Voltage

Positive / kV 135

135

135

Negative / kV 145

145

145

Power Frequency

Impulse / kV

Ball & Socket size

16mmA 16mmA 16mmA

Locking Device

R Clip

11

R Clip

R Clip

Standard suspension Insulator - Tongue & Clevis

Figure 1.7

Technical Data ( Table 1.8 )

0216-70 0216-80

Porcelain Disk Diameter / mm

255

255

Unit Spacing / mm

146

146

Creepage Distance / mm

295

295

Electromechanical Failing Load / kN

70

80

Standard Coupling According to IEC 471 16c

12

16c

Glass insulator

Figure 1.8

Glass Insulator are applied in HV and Extra-HV Transmission lines as dielectirc and use for
suspension overhead line.

Main Character:

Zero-spontaneous Breakage and easy inspection;

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Main Types:

Figure 1.9

Standard Profile Toughened Glass Suspension Insulators --- Ball and Socket Type

From 70 KN, to 300 KN to meet IEC Standard

Standard Profile Toughened Glass Suspension Insulators - Ball and Socket Type

Figure 1.10

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