Techniques for estimation of biological contamination on insulators using image analysis

A new technique for measurement and characterization of biological contamination on composite insulators has been developed and investigated. The technique, based on photography and digital image analysis, has been applied to insulators partly covered by fungal growth. Different methods for estimating measures characterizing growth patterns, like covered area and remaining creepage distance, have been explored. It is shown that the developed technique for automatic insulator recognition and estimation of its position allows for non-supervised measurements to be performed outdoors. Finally, results from flashover voltage measurements on insulators with fungal growth are reported.