Influence of inclination angle on the pollution flashover voltage of contaminated silicone rubber

Abstract

V-shaped composite insulator strings exhibit excellent resistance to pollution and wind deviation, resulting in their widespread use in transmission lines. The correlation between inclination angle of the shed surface and pollution flashover voltage can reflect the pollution flashover characteristics of V-shaped composite insulator strings. Therefore, the relationship between inclination angle and pollution flashover voltage was studied through artificial pollution testing methods, and the relationship between inclination angle and degree of wetting was studied using the method of adding water to increase weight. The results of this study indicated that as the inclination angle increased within the range of 0°–180°, the degree of wetting on the surface of contaminated silicone rubber gradually decreased, whereas the pollution flashover voltage continuously increased. A model of water droplet collision and wetting on the surface of contaminated silicone rubber at different inclination angles was established. This model revealed that the gravity-induced difference in the wetting states of the surface of contaminated silicone rubber under different inclination angles was responsible for the variation in pollution flashover voltages, with the maximum variation being 116.52%. The results of this study can inform the design and operation of V-shaped composite insulators.