Calculation of critical flashover voltage of ice-covered insulators using the finite element method

A dynamic finite element method (FEM) based model for predicting DC and AC critical flashover voltage of ice-covered insulators, implemented on a commercial software, is proposed. The model considers a single arc established on an ice surface modeled as a 2D conductive layer. The arc is modeled by its root which is considered as an equipotential surface in contact with the ice layer, and whose propagation is provided by the validation of Hampton´s criterion. The simulation results obtained by the FEM dynamic model are in agreement with those obtained experimentally using a simplified and real short post insulator covered with atmospheric ice.