Analysis Of Factors Affecting The Flashover Of Insulators Under Heavy Load Conditions

In high-voltage transmission lines of the power system, the composite suspension insulator plays a crucial role, undertaking the task of isolating current and protecting the circuit. However, under heavy load conditions, polymer suspension insulator often faces the risk of flashover. Flashover is usually caused by factors such as excessive voltage or aging of insulation materials, and in severe cases it may lead to power system failure or outage.

Impact of excessive load

As the current load increases, the voltage across the suspension type insulator transistor also increases. Under excessively high voltage, the insulation performance of composite tension insulator may be weakened, leading to flashover. Especially in high humidity, humid weather, or heavily polluted environments, more conductive impurities accumulate on the surface of the insulator, making it easier for current to penetrate the insulator surface and cause flashover accidents.

Accelerated Material Aging

As usage time increases, the materials in high voltage transmission line insulators will age, leading to a gradual decline in their electrical performance. The surface of aged overhead power line insulators becomes rough, its arc resistance is weakened, and the risk of flashover is further increased. Especially under heavy load conditions, the aging rate accelerates, significantly increasing the probability of flashover. Therefore, regular inspection and maintenance are crucial to ensuring the normal operation of the power system.

The Impact of Environmental Factors on Flashover

The operating environment of insulators also significantly affects their performance. Extreme weather conditions, such as thunderstorms, snow, and sandstorms, can all affect the performance of the tension insulator. In such environments, dust, ice, snow, or other contaminants easily accumulate on the insulator surface, leading to uneven voltage distribution and potentially causing flashover. Therefore, power companies need to adopt appropriate insulator types and protective measures for different climatic environments to reduce the risk of flashover.