Association between hydrophobicity and dry band arcing on ADSS fiber optic cables and dampers

All-Dielectric self-supporting (ADSS) cables are fiber optic cables installed along with high voltage transmission lines for data transfer. Spiral vibration dampers (SVD) are impact type mechanical vibration dampers used over these ADSS cables to damp Aeolian vibrations. There have been occurrences of dry band arcing observed between ADSS cable and the dampers. In order to observe this phenomenon, experiments to simulate dry band arcing were conducted on ADSS cable and the dampers. Results of the experiments suggest that SVDs increase the presence of arcing and the increased reduction in hydrophobicity is one factor which induces increased dry band arcing. The relation between this increased arcing activity and the hydrophobic nature of the samples is presented. The importance of the hydrophobic nature of the samples is discussed with the help of electric field distribution.