Radiated electromagnetic field signature of faulty and polluted porcelain insulators

Porcelain cap and pin insulators are by far the most popular suspension insulators in high-voltage distribution networks all around the world. Inspection and condition monitoring of HV insulators is also a very hot research topic because of the critical and vital role that they play in distribution systems. A new condition assessment method based on electromagnetic radiations from porcelain insulators is presented. In a lab environment, a 45 KV transformer is connected to a string of two porcelain insulators. Electromagnetic radiations from the insulators are captured by different receivers. A polluted insulator and a cracked insulator were studied as a faulty insulator on the string. Pollution is artificially added to the surface of the insulator and another insulator was intentionally cracked for the tests. The electromagnetic radiated signature of a polluted insulator and a cracked insulator was captured and analyzed and a comparison between them is also presented.