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Home / Technical Articles / Voltage Distribution In a Suspension Insulator Strain
Voltage Distribution In a Suspension Insulator Strain
Voltage Distribution In a Suspension Insulator Strain

1. Introduction

A suspension insulator strain consists of a series of alternately insulators and metal parts, which bind each insulator to the next. This constitutes a series of connected capacitors, with each one’s capacitance being created by two successive metal connectors (clips) with the porcelain as a dielectric.

Moreover, there are air capacitances between each connector and the support arm or the tower.

So let us consider a strain of four suspension insulators, as shown in the figure below, and let C be the same capacitance for each unit and kC the capacitance of each metal connector with earth.

Four insulators strain
Four insulators strain

Then, if V1 is the potential difference between the two metal connectors (clips) of the first insulator, we have:

If V1 is the potential difference between the two metal connectors


Even V1 + V2 + V3 + V4 = E (phase voltage of the line) → E = V1 (4 + 10k + 6k2 + k3)

So, if k = 0,1, we have:

Phase voltage of the line

From the results it appears that the first insulator has only one fifth of the total voltage, while the latter has almost one third.

2. Corona rings

The distribution of the potential along the insulators strain can be improved by using a smoothing ring (Corona ring) or a protective ring, which consists of a large metal ring surrounding the last insulator that is electricallyconnected to the line.

The corona ring inserts capacitances between the metal connectors (clips) of the insulators and the line. For these capacitances, special care can be taken in order to compensate the capacitances to earth.


3. Cases of insulators strains with or without Corona rings

Case 1

Determine the potential distribution in a strain of three insulators, if the capacitances of the links to earth and to the line are respectively 20% and 10% of the capacitance of the insulators. Also, determine the performance of the strain.

Three insulators strain with capacitances to earth and to the line


Three insulators strain formulae


Performance of the insulators strain formulae


Case 2

An overhead 3-phase transmission line, which has phase voltage 30 kV, is hanging from a three insulators suspension strain. The capacitance between the links and the earth is 0,2 C, where C is the capacitance of an insulator.

  1. Determine the potential distribution along the insulators strain.
  2. If a protective (corona) ring inserts capacitances from the line, with the link of the middle and the lower insulator set at 0,4 C and the link of the medium and the higher insulator set at 0,1 C, find the new distribution.
2.1 Determine the potential distribution along the insulators strain
Insulators strain without Corona ring
Insulators strain without Corona ring

Insulators strain without Corona ring


2.2 Protective (corona) ring inserts capacitances from the line
Insulators strain with Corona ring
Insulators strain with Corona ring

Insulators strain with Corona ring


4. Generalized formula of voltage distribution in a suspension insulators strain

Generalized formula of voltage distribution in a suspension insulators strain formulae

The above mathematical formula is the generalized formula we can use to find the voltage Vn of the (n-1) insulator.
E = phase voltage of the line.

The value of ‘a’ is given by the above formula:

Value of “a” formulae


4.1 Determine the voltage distribution in a six insulators strain (z=6) with k=0,1

Voltage distribution in a six insulators strain


4.2 Determine the voltage distribution of the first, the sixth and the twelfth insulator with z = 12 (12 – insulators strain) and k = 0,1

We have:

Determine the voltage distribution of the first, the sixth and the twelfth insulator with z = 12


References:
  • Vasilios N. Xanthos – Generation, Transmission, Distribution, Measurement and saving of Electrical Energy

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Emmanouil Angeladas

Bachelor in Electrical Engineering from Technological Educational Institute of Piraeus, Hellas. Electrical engineer working at Center of Renewable Energy Sources. I work in the field of maintenance, functional test and installation of measuring systems, including wind potential measurements in areas where wind turbines will be installed. I'm highly interested in HVDC systems, Fuel Cells technology and Microgrids.

3 Comments


  1. Md Imran Sk
    Jul 18, 2018

    Hi Sir very nice work and truly information given about of Voltage Distribution.
    Thank you

    http://electronicsrical.com/voltage-distribution-over-insulator-string-overhead-line-insulator/


  2. B Ram
    May 14, 2016

    please convey me the C value of :
    What is the capacitance value of 11 kv disk insulator?
    What is the capacitance value of single long rod insulators used at 145 kv and 245 kv line to line voltage?


  3. r. collantes
    Jul 13, 2014

    nice explanation >>>

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