Reliability assessment of polymeric insulators by the combined aging test

This paper deals with the reliability assessment of polymer insulators for distribution power systems by means of the combined aging test facilities. The specially designed test facilities and the aging cycle are described. From the aging test for 3000 hours, most tested insulators showed only superficial aging. In order to confirm the relationship between laboratory aging and field aging, the test results are compared. Through this study, it can be expected that the polymer insulators without manufacturing defect have a long-term reliability even though the service environment is very severe.