Research on the optimization of UHV AC composite insulators´ shed

Composite insulators´ shed plays a very important role in their contamination performance. As we have known, composite insulators with different shed profiles have different contamination flashover performances. In this paper, studies mainly focusing on the optimal design of composite insulators´ shed. Based on the results of a great deal of artificial contamination test for specimen composite insulators with different profiles, this paper carried out the relationship between the shed parameter and the contamination flashover voltage. By the above work, flashover voltages of composite insulators can be enhanced greatly and the composite insulators will have higher utilization rate of the leakage distance. Therefore, the dimension of towers will be decreased and the cost of transmission systems will be reduced, especially in heavy pollution areas. Accordingly, this work can provide theoretical support of the external insulation design and the selection of insulators for 1000 kV UHV AC transmission projects in China.