| Near industrial, agricultural, or coastal areas, contamination is a frequent cause of insulator flashover, most cases of which result in lengthy service interruptions. Utilities spend significant amounts of money on insulator washing and cleaning before the restoration of the service. Laboratory studies and industrial experience have shown that both contamination and wetting of insulator surfaces, which initiate the flow of leakage current, are required for insulator flashover. The leakage current leading to flashover has distinctive stages of development. Flashover is preceded by dry-band arcing and extension of the arc to bridge the insulator. This combination significantly modifies both the magnitude and shape of the leakage current.; A condition-based monitoring (CBM) system that monitors the easily measurable insulator leakage current as a means of assessing pollution severity and would possibly predict an approaching flashover could prove beneficial to utilities. The overall aim of this project is the development of a system that monitors pollution build-up through the signature changes in the leakage current and alerts an operator when there is a danger of flashover. The operator can, in turn, order maintenance personnel to wash the insulators. This will safeguard against unforeseen flashovers, since the system is constantly being monitored and diagnosed. Additionally, the washing cycles of insulators will be optimized, saving money and eventually rendering the power transmission system more reliable. |
