Influence of organic pollutants on the pollution flashover properties of porcelain insulators

Pollution flashovers threatened the operation safety of power system. The composition and wetting degree of natural pollutants on insulators have significant influence on their flashover properties. Typical natural pollutant samples on the porcelain insulators in Jiangsu Province has been obtained. Analysis has been carried out on the flashover properties and composition of natural pollution: Test results indicated that under the same ESDD and NSDD value, natural pollution had higher wetting rate compared to artificial pollution but had lower conductivity after fully wetting. From the analysis result, Organics (Caprolactam) have been found in the natural pollutant samples. The mechanism of organics´ influence on the insulators has been analyzed. Caprolactam is absorbent substance which helping pollution layer absorbing water under low humidity situation, Thus increase the leakage current flow on insulator surface, and increase possibility of insulators to flashover. However, when the pollution layer of insulators get saturated moisture, the influence of CPL on the flashover voltage of insulators can be neglected