A model for high voltage polluted insulators suffering arcs and partial discharges

In this paper, we propose a simulation model for contaminated insulators. The theoretical analysis of the proposed model is provided, together with the mathematical analysis of the related equivalent circuit and a mathematical function that simulates the behaviour of the dry band resistance as a function of time, even in cases where arcs or partial discharges occur. To specify the model’s parameters and the dry band resistance function, a series of measurements of the applied voltage and leakage current of 20 kV porcelain insulators was performed. After determining the required parameters, a test was performed to evaluate the accuracy of the behaviour of the model compared with that of the active insulator. In practice, the proposed model seems to satisfactorily simulate the behaviour of the contaminated insulators.