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Natural ageing of EPDM composite insulators

Journal Article · · IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Transactions on Power Delivery; (USA)
DOI:https://doi.org/10.1109/61.107305· OSTI ID:5095626
;  [1]
  1. Chalmers Univ. of Technology, High Voltage Engineering, S-412 96 Gothenburg (SW)

Long-rod composite insulators, with weather sheds (sheds) made of ethylene propylene rubbers (EPDM), were exposed for many years to HVAC and HVDC under realistic conditions and natural pollution. The change of their properties with time and their aging was studied. The results show that the insulator shed material undergoes a slow degradation process and loses successively its water repelling properties which initially make the EPDM composite insulators superior to inorganic glass and porcelain insulator. The outdoor degradation of the shed material depends on the electric stress, in the environmental factors (such as pollution, rain, salt-laden fog, and UV-radiation from sun) and on the materials and fillers used in the construction of the composite insulators. A thorough macro- and microscopic study of the EPDM composite insulator sheds illustrates the differences of the surface state of EPDM insulators of different makes in which different basic material compositions and fillers are used. The poor performance of aged EPDM composite insulators compared to inorganic insulators depends on the design and on environmental factors.

OSTI ID:
5095626
Journal Information:
IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Transactions on Power Delivery; (USA), Journal Name: IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers) Transactions on Power Delivery; (USA) Vol. 5:1; ISSN 0885-8977; ISSN ITPDE
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English