Dynamic modelling of polluted outdoor insulator under wet weather conditions

Abstract

This paper proposes a dynamic pollution modelling for evaluating electric field distribution over the composite insulator surface. Axial-symmetric insulator profile under wet contaminated conditions was developed and analysed using Finite Element Method (FEM) software. A nonlinear field-dependent conductivity with simplified assumptions was established to characterise the electrical properties of the pollution layer. Comparative studies showed that simulation of the proposed pollution model results in a more realistic electric field profile, offering better understanding on how the electric field behaves under various wet and contaminated conditions.