Electrical and optical analysis of the electric discharge, energized by AC voltage, on polluted insulating surface

This paper presents some results serving in modeling of flashover of polluted insulators, and also in the validity test of extension mechanisms of discharge. A flashover has been established on a laboratory model simulating a polluted insulator and has been read electrical and optical parameters in different points of the discharge path. Inspired by the previous works, optical results shown weak light intensity of the discharge comparable to streamers; these streamers could be used as forerunners of discharges that end to a flashover. This subject, besides its scientific relevance, is likely to have economic effects in the field of electrical energy distribution networks equipment