Polymer Insulators are fast becoming the insulator of choice in recent transmission lines project. It is interesting to know what are the benefits of using polymeric insulators. Below are some of the benefits of using polymer insulators in transmission lines.
Resistance to Shock Loading
There are various conditions that lead to mechanical shock
loading. Polymer insulators exhibits the property of compliance to mechanical
shock loads and has the potential of preventing line drops which result from
the many sources of shock loading.
Polymer insulators have infinitely greater resistance to
damage and breakage. Virtually no insulators (polymer) are damaged while being
transported or during construction. While porcelain insulators in an average
could account up to 2% of insulator damage.
Radio and television interference is produced from many
insulator sources. The contact type of interference produced is virtually
eliminated with polymer insulators as well as the interference produced during
damp conditions.
Resistance to Shock Loading
Resistance to Gunshot
Polymer insulators have much greater resistance to gunshot
though they are not immune to damage. They simply proves to be a more difficult
target. A polymer insulator provides the shooter with no evidence that the
target has been hit, thus frustrating the shooter, and eventually leaving it.
Resistance to Breaking and Damage
Improved Contamination Performance
Some test shows that polymer insulators are superior over
ceramic insulator in terms if its flashover strength. Its flashover performance
is greater by more than 20%, thus polymer insulators are being specified for
polluted environments.
Gained Acceptance in Environmentally Sensitive Area
Ceramic insulators produces significant visual impact due to
its sheer size. Because of their slim profile, polymer insulators minimize the
visual impact and have gained acceptance in environmentally sensitive areas.
Reduced Interference
Hydrophobicity and Multiple Aging Phenomena of Polymer
Insulators
Advantages of polymer insulators over traditional ceramics
insulators are light weight, high mechanical strength to weight ratio and high
vandal damage resistance. Easy handling, easy installation and the thereby
reduced cost arc expected to contribute to more effective and labor-saving
power delivery systems.
The induced aging can reduce the electrical performances as
well as the durability of polymer insulators. This is a peculiar nature of
polymer insulators. Nowadays, silicone rubbers incorporated with alumina
trihydrate (Al2O3 3H2O) filler are representative housing materials of polymer
insulators. One merit of using silicone rubbers is providing stable
hydrophobicity, which can be quickly recovered even when it is lost as a result
of discharges and/or deposits of contaminations, to insulator surfaces.
Stable and recoverable hydrophobicity prevents water film to
form, restricting leakage current passing throngh the water film and thus
enhancing the capability of electrical insulators even in wet and contaminated
conditions.
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