380 kV corona ring optimization for AC voltages

This paper presents corona ring optimization for 380 kV V-insulator string composed of glass insulator units. The influence of the corona ring design parameters are examined not only with regard to 3D simulations but also laboratory tests. The purpose of the simulations is to find reasonable corona ring design parameters such as corona ring diameter, corona tube diameter and installation height on the point of effective field regulation around the critical region of the string. Indoor laboratory tests including radio interference voltage levels, corona inception voltages and ac flashover voltages are conducted on the centre phase of a full scaled tower both for experimental based corona ring design as well as verifications of the simulations. After both simulations and experimental based investigations, appropriate corona ring design parameters for the string are determined for effective field regulation, minimum interference level, ac flashover performance and economic point of view.