Optimal design configuration of grading ring for polymeric insulator under different environmental conditions

Polymeric insulators play a crucial role in power transmission lines. To ensure safe and reliable operation at High Voltage (HV), they are often equipped with single or double grading rings to uniformly distribute the electric field and voltage along the creepage distance. This study investigates the impact of optimal grading ring configurations on electric field distribution using the Finite Element Method (FEM). In addition, an adaptable method for achieving optimal grading ring design is proposed. Numerical results demonstrate that employing the Nelder-Mead (NM) optimization algorithm helps determine the ideal configuration for grading ring material, dimensions, and location to achieve uniform electric field distribution compared to insulators without grading rings or with original designs. This method has also been adapted for different environmental conditions, including pollution, water droplets, and icing conditions.