Advanced Detecting Technologies for Aging Performances of Composite Insulators

Abstract

Abstract As common electrical equipment, composite insulator played an important role on the safe and stable operation of transmission lines. Hence, it was meaningful to explore effective methods to detect the service performances of operated composite insulators. In this paper, several advanced technologies were introduced to check the performances of in-serviced composite insulators. The macroscopic properties were mainly detected by means of X-ray digital imaging system, ultrasonic phased array (UPA) and hydrophobicity measurement. In addition, the microscopic properties were analysed by the way of scanning electron microscope (SEM) observation, microscopic infrared spectral imaging system and thermogravimetric (TG) analysis. It was believed that defects such as micro-cracks, gaps etc. could be earlier and quickly found by using these detection techniques, thereby avoiding power failure accidents of the transmission lines.