Insulators 101
IEEE/PES 2010 Transmission and Distribution Conference and Exposition New Orleans, Louisiana April 20, 2010
What Is an Insulator?
An insulator is a dam*** poor conductor! And more, technically speaking!
An insulator is a mechanical support! Primary function - support the line mechanically Secondary function electrical Air is the insulator Outer shells/surfaces are designed to increase leakage distance and strike distance
History
Glass plates used to insulate telegraph line DC to Baltimore Glass insulators became the norm soon thereafter typical collectors items today Many, many trials with different materials wood cement porcelain - beeswax soaked rag wrapped around the wire, etc. Ultimately porcelain and glass prevailed
History
Wet process porcelain developed for high voltage applications Porcelain insulator industry started
Application voltages increased Insulator designs became larger, more complex Ceramics (porcelain, glass) still only choices at high voltages
History
US trials of first NCIs cycloaliphatic based Not successful, but others soon became interested and a new industry started up
Europeans develop modern style NCI fiberglass rod with various polymeric sheds Now considered First generation
History
trials of insulators Since that time - new manufacturers, new designs, new materials NCIs at generation X there have been so many improvements in materials, end fitting designs, etc. Change in materials have meant changes in line design practices, maintenance practices, etc. Ceramic manufacturers have not been idle either with development of higher strength porcelains, RG glazes, etc.
History
Insulator Types
Insulator Types
Distribution lines Pin type insulators -mainly porcelain, growing use of polymeric (HDPE high density polyethylene), limited use of glass (in US at least) Line post insulators porcelain, polymeric Dead end insulators polymeric, porcelain, glass Spool insulators porcelain, polymeric Strain insulators, polymeric, porcelain
Insulator Types
Transmission lines
Suspension insulators - new installations mainly NCIs, porcelain and glass now used less frequently Line post insulators mainly NCIs for new lines and installations, porcelain much less frequent now
Insulator Types
Substations
Post insulators porcelain primarily, NCIs growing in use at lower voltages (~161 kV and below) Suspension insulators NCIs (primarily), ceramic
Ceramic Porcelain or toughened glass Metal components fixed with cement ANSI Standards C29.1 through C29.10
Non Ceramic Typically fiberglass rod with rubber (EPDM or Silicone) sheath and weather sheds HDPE line insulator applications Cycloaliphatic (epoxies) station applications, some line applications Metal components normally crimped ANSI Standards C29.11 C29.19
Ceramic Materials very resistant to UV, contaminant degradation, electric field degradation Materials strong in compression, weaker in tension High modulus of elasticity stiff Brittle, require more careful handling Heavier than NCIs
Non Ceramic Hydrophobic materials improve contamination performance Strong in tension, weaker in compression Deflection under load can be an issue Lighter easier to handle Electric field stresses must be considered
Ceramic Generally designs are mature Limited flexibility of dimensions Process limitations on sizes and shapes Applications/handling methods generally well understood
Insulators
- R.C.L. (Rated Cantilever Load) or MDC or MDCL (Maximum Design Cantilever Load) or MCWL or WCL (Working Cantilever Load) - Never Exceed RCL or MDC or MDCL or MCWL or WCL - S.T.L. (Specified Tensile Load) - Tensile Proof Test=(STL/2)
0 Longitudinal 500 Longitudinal 1000 Longitudinal 1500 Longitudinal 2000 Longitudinal 0 1000 2000 3000 LINE POST APPLICATION CURVES 9-12-05
-2000
-1000
Ten sion
An Insulator is a mechanical support! Air imparts Electrical Characteristics Strike Distance (Dry Arcing Distance) is the principal constituent to electrical values.
Dry 60 Hz F/O and Impulse F/O based on strike distance. Wet 60 Hz F/O
- Some would argue leakage distance as a principal factor. - At the extremes that argument fails although it does play a role. - Leakage distance helps to maintain the surface resistance of the strike distance.
Define peak l-g kV Determine Leakage Distance Required Switching Over-voltage Requirements Impulse Over-voltage
B. MAXIMUM SYSTEM LINE-TO-GROUND VOLTAGE (line A/1.732)*1.05 C. MAXIMUM PEAK LINE-TO-GROUND VOLTAGE (e) e=(line B * 1.414) LEAKAGE DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS CONTAMINATION LEVEL (typical values) D. ZERO E. LIGHT F. MODERATE G. HEAVY Enter inches/kV -
SUGGESTED LEAKAGE (inches/(kV line-to-ground)) UP TO 1.00 1.00 - 1.25 1.50 - 1.75 2.00 - 2.50 1
41.8 inches
SWITCHING OVERVOLTAGE REQUIREMENTS I. SSV = (line B) * 3.0 IMPULSE OVERVOLTAGE REQUIREMENTS J. PEAK IMPULSE WITHSTAND = (I(t) * R(f))+e I(t) = 20 kA (typical value = 50 kA) R(f) = 15 ohm (typical value = 10 - 20 ohm) e= 59.1 (line C) K. IMPULSE WITHSTAND = SELECT INSULATOR BASED ON REQUIREMENTS: SYSTEM REQUIREMENT H. LEAKAGE DISTANCE I. SWITCHING SURGE VOLTAGE K. IMPULSE WITHSTAND T. SELECT INSULATOR VALUE FROM PAGE 1 41.8 125 359 NUMBER OF POLYMER VALUES PORCELAIN BELLS 359 kV 125 kV (peak)
What is Leakage Distance? The sum of the shortest distances measured along the insulating surfaces between the conductive parts, as arranged for dry flashover test. 1
0.04 0.15
0.15 0.40 >0.40
Medium
Heavy Very Heavy
1.37
1.70 2.11
2 IEEE V
1.5
0.5
250
Flashover Voltage
200
100 CEA 280 T 621 SR units - leakage equal to porcelain EPDM Units - leakage 1.3 X Porcelain 50
0 0.01 0.1
ESDD (mg/cm^2)
Ohmic Heating helps to dry the contaminant layer and reduce leakage currents.
In addition, hydrophobicity helps to minimize filming
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
Insulator Selection
Where do I get these values? Leakage Distance or Creepage Distance Manufacturers Catalog Switching Surge Wet W/S ((Wet Switching Surge W/S)/2) 60 Hz Wet Flashover (r.m.s.) Peak Wet 60 Hz value will be lower than Switching Surge Wet W/S Impulse Withstand Take Positive or Negative Polarity, whichever is lower If only Critical Impulse Flashover is available assume 90% (safe estimate for withstand)
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
Insulator Selection
PICKING A SUITABLE INSULATOR
ELECTRICAL PARAMETERS A. NOMINAL SYSTEM LINE-TO-LINE VOLTAGE B. MAXIMUM SYSTEM LINE-TO-GROUND VOLTAGE (line A/1.732)*1.05 C. MAXIMUM PEAK LINE-TO-GROUND VOLTAGE (e) e=(line B * 1.414) LEAKAGE DISTANCE REQUIREMENTS CONTAMINATION LEVEL (typical values) D. ZERO E. LIGHT F. MODERATE G. HEAVY Enter inches/kV SUGGESTED LEAKAGE (inches/(kV line-to-ground)) UP TO 1.00 1.00 - 1.25 1.50 - 1.75 2.00 - 2.50 1 69 kV (rms) 41.8 kV (rms) 59.1 kV (peak)
41.8 inches
IMPULSE OVERVOLTAGE REQUIREMENTS J. PEAK IMPULSE WITHSTAND = (I(t) * R(f))+e I(t) = 20 kA (typical value = 50 kA) R(f) = 15 ohm (typical value = 10 - 20 ohm) e= 59.1 (line C) K. IMPULSE WITHSTAND = SELECT INSULATOR BASED ON REQUIREMENTS: SYSTEM REQUIREMENT H. LEAKAGE DISTANCE I. SWITCHING SURGE VOLTAGE K. IMPULSE WITHSTAND T. SELECT INSULATOR VALUE FROM PAGE 1 41.8 125 359 NUMBER OF POLYMER VALUES PORCELAIN BELLS 359 kV
Insulator Selection
Porcelain 5-3/4 X 10 bells X 4 units
Characteristic Leakage Distance Wet Switching Surge W/S Required 42 Available 46
125 kV
240 kV
Impulse W/S
M&E
359 kV
12,000 lbs
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
374 kV
15,000 lbs
Grading Rings
Simulate a larger, more spherical object
Questions?
Public review
Anybody may comment. Comments must be evaluated, responded to, and if found to be appropriate, included in the standard .
Right to appeal
By anyone believing due process lacking.
Objective is to ensure that ANS Standards are developed in an environment that is equitable, accessible, and responsive to the requirements of various stakeholders*.
* The American National Standards Process, ANSI March 24, 2005
NEMA
Independents
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
C29 .1 .2 .3
ANSI C29 Insulator Standards (available on-line at nema.org) Insulator Test Methods Wet-process Porcelain & Toughened Glass - Suspensions Wet-process Porcelain Insulators - Spool Type
.4 .5 .6 .7 .8 .9
.10 .11 .12 .13 .17 .18 .19
- Strain Type - Low & Medium Voltage Pin Type - High Voltage Pin Type - High Voltage Line Post Type - Apparatus, Cap & Pin Type - Apparatus, Post Type
- Indoor Apparatus Type - Suspension Type - Distribution Deadend Type - Line Post Type - Distribution Line Post Type IEEE T&D Insulators 101 - Station Post Type (under development)
Sample, performed on random samples from lot offered for acceptance. Routine, performed on each insulator to eliminate defects from lot.
-Temperature 25 C
- Barometric Pressure 29.92 ins. of Hg - Vapor Pressure 0.6085 ins. of Hg - For wet tests: rate 50.5 mm/min, resistivity 17827m, 10 sec. ws
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
Shortest distance through the surrounding medium between terminal electrodes , or the sum of distances between intermediate electrodes , whichever is shortest, with the insulator mounted for dry flashover test.
Electrical Ratings
Product is designed to have a specified average flashover. This is the manufacturers rated value, R. Samples are electrically tested in accordance with standard This is the tested value, T. Due to uncontrollable elements during the test such as atmospheric fluctuations, minor differences in test configuration, water spray fluctuations, etc. the test value can be less than the rated value. Does T satisfy the requirements for the rating R? If T/R Yes where = 0.95 for Low-frequency Dry flashover tests = 0.90 for Low-frequency Wet flashover tests = 0.92 for Impulse flashover tests
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
Electrical Ratings
Dry 60 Hz Flashover Data
1400
1200
Suspension Insulator
600
400
200
20
40
60
80
100
120
140
160
1000
400
200
0 0 100 200 300 400 500 600 Nominal Phase-to-Phase Voltage, kV 700 800 900
Higher insulation levels required in areas where severe lightning, high atmospheric contamination, or other unfavorable conditions exist
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
Mechanical Ratings
Sample & Routine Mechanical Tests are based on the primary in-service loading conditions
STD. No. C 29.2 C29.6 C29.7 Insulator Type Ceramic Suspension Pin Type Line Post Sample test M&E Cantilever Cantilever Routine test Tension ----4 quad. cantilever
C29.8
Tension
C29.9
Station Post
C29.12
C29.13 C29.17 C29.18
Composite Suspension
Deadend Line Post
SML
SML Cantilever Tension Cantilever
Tension
Tension Tension Tension
Mechanical Ratings
M&E Test Ceramic Suspensions
Kinectrics
Insulator Type
Ceramic Suspension Ceramic Line post Ceramic Apparatus Cap & Pin
Lot Acceptance Criteria Ave. Std. dev. = S X10 R +1.2 S s10 1.72 S
X3 R no one xi .85 R X3 R no one xi .85 R
Routine Test
3 sec. tension at 50% of R 4 quad. bending at 40% of R 3 sec. tension at specified value Tension at 50% of R or 4 quad. bending at 40% of R 10 sec. tension at 50% of R 10 sec. tension at 50% of R 10 sec. tension at 50% of R 10 sec. tension at 50% of R
C29.7
C29.8
C29.9
X3 R no one xi .85 R
C29.12
Composite Suspension Composite Distribution Deadend Composite Line Post Composite Distribution Line Post
Specified Mech. Load (SML) test of 3 units SML test of 3 units Cantilever strength of 1 unit Tension test of 1 unit Cantilever strength of 1 unit
xi .R
C29.13
C29.17
C29.18
Strength R
Strength value at -3 90% of M&E rating 79% of M&E rating 67% of M&E rating
Possible low strengths for ceramic suspension units in a lot minimally acceptable according to CSA C411.1 Requirements Rating XS 3s
& Xi R
On a -3 sigma basis , minimum strength that could be expected in a lot is the rated value regardless of the coefficient of variation for the manufacturing process that produced the lot.
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
Lot Acceptance Criteria ANSI C29 Possible low strengths for ceramic units in a lot minimally acceptable according to ANSI C29.7, C29.8 & C29.9
Cantilever rating X3 & no xi< 85% of rating
Strength value at -3 85% of Cantilever rating 70% of Cantilever rating 55% of Cantilever rating
Insulator Type
Ceramic
Suspension Line Post
Composite
Suspension Line Post Station Post
Worst loading case load (% Table 277-1)(Insulator Rating) In most cases , % from Table 277-1 is equal to the routine proof -test load.
Bending tests on a production basis are not practicable in
some cases, (large stacking posts, cap & pins , and polymer posts) and tension proof-load tests are specified.
Insulators 101
Section D Achieving Quality
Presented by Tom Grisham
IEEE/PES T&D Conference and Exposition New Orleans, LA April 20, 2010
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
Quality Defined
QUALITY An inherent, basic or distinguishing characteristic; an essential property or nature. QUALITY CONTROL A system of ensuring the proper maintenance of written standards; especially by the random inspection of manufactured goods.
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
Storage methods
Installation records (where, by whom, why?) Interchangeability with other suppliers product
Handling of NCIs
NEMA is working on a new application guide for NCI products. It will likely include
Insulators should not be dropped, thrown, or bent Insulators should not be used as ladders Cotter keys for ball sockets should be inspected identically to the instructions for ceramic insulators The maximum combined loads should not exceed the RTL Normal operating temperature is 40 to 150 Degrees F Insulators should not be used as rope supports Units with damaged housings that expose the core rod should be replaced and discarded Units with cut or torn weathersheds should be inspected by the manufacturer Bending, twisting and cantilever loading should be avoided during construction and maintenance
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
Inspection Techniques
Subjective: What you already know
Outage related Visual methods from the ground Previous problem Thermal camera (NCI live line)
Establish subjective baselines for new installations as future reference! Porcelain and glass, also!
IEEE T&D Insulators 101
Supplier Involvement
Verification of production date? Available production records? Determination of root cause? Recommended action?
Safety requirements?
Source of Presentation
http://ewh.ieee.org/soc/pes/iwg/