Effects of external shed damage on voltage and electric field profile for overhead insulators

Purpose This paper aims to present simulation studies on voltage and electric field characteristics for imperfect ceramic insulators using QuickField(TM) software. Based on previous studies, it is accepted that string insulator can still serve the transmission line although imperfect of certain insulator exist in a string. However, different materials of porcelain and glass type had made these insulators own different abilities to carry electricity to be transferred to the consumers. Design/methodology/approach Cap and pin type of porcelain and glass insulators are used as the main subject for comparison. The simulation works begins with modeling a single insulator, followed by string of ten insulators with their respective applied voltage, that is, 11 and 132kV. The insulator was modeled in alternate current conduction analysis problem type using QuickField Professional Software. Technical parameters for porcelain and glass insulator were manually inserted in the modeling. Findings This paper presents an investigation on the influence of broken porcelain and glass insulators in string for voltage and electric field characteristics. For single insulator, the voltage distribution may literally reduce when experiencing external damages; whereby the broken porcelain insulator condition is worse than the glass insulator. In terms of electric field distribution, the glass insulator is badly affected compared with the porcelain insulator, as it is pulverized comprehensively. Research limitations/implications Further work needs to be done to establish whether the experiments of these simulations study will present coequal outcomes. This study endeavors in promoting a good example of voltage and electric field characteristics across high voltage (HV) insulator with the presence of broken insulator in the string. Practical implications This study is beneficial to future researchers and manufacturing companies in strategic management and research planning when they involve in the field of HV insulators. It will also serve as a future reference for academic and study purposes. This research will also educate many people on how HV insulators work. Social implications This study will be helpful to the industry and business practitioners in training for the additional results and knowledge to be updated in the area of HV insulators. Originality/value This paper presents the analysis of porcelain and glass insulators according to their respective logic conditions when broken. Consequently, the existence of a damage insulator in a string may alter the distribution of voltage and electric field which may ultimately lead to the insulation breakdown after some time. This is because the broken insulator may cause other insulators to withstand the remaining voltage allocated for that particular insulator and may affect the insulators in terms of the life span. Therefore, the distribution of voltage and electrical field characteristics in the presence of broken insulators had been studied in this project.