The Effect Of Conductor Temperature Rise On Insulator Performance

In high-load power systems, conductors generate heat due to current flow, causing their temperature to rise continuously. The internal resistance of the conductor increases with temperature, and heat accumulates as Joule heating, raising the temperature of the surrounding environment. Such temperature changes not only affect the conductor itself but also transmit to suspension composite insulator, which is in close contact with it, causing the temperature of composite suspension insulator to rise.

As the temperature rises, the resistivity inside polymer suspension insulator shows a decreasing trend, indicating that the dielectric loss of the insulator may increase, causing changes in the electric field distribution and local dielectric strength. At high temperatures, some insulating materials may more easily penetrate conductive areas, thus reducing the original insulation resistance.

When the temperature of suspension type insulator increases due to conductor thermal conduction or environmental factors, its insulation performance may significantly decrease. For every certain temperature increase, the resistance of composite tension insulator decreases substantially. High temperatures accelerate material aging, alter thermal expansion states, and may even cause localized flashovers or arcing on the surface.