Open AccessInvestigation on shed icicle characteristics and induced surface discharges along a suspension insulator string during ice accretion
Author(s) -
Liu Yong,
Farzaneh Masoud,
Du Boxue
Publication year - 2017
Publication title -
iet generation, transmission and distribution
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.92
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1751-8695
pISSN - 1751-8687
DOI - 10.1049/iet-gtd.2016.1238
Subject(s) - icing , insulator (electricity) , mechanics , materials science , ice crystals , icing conditions , sea ice growth processes , electric field , accretion (finance) , meteorology , environmental science , composite material , physics , astrophysics , sea ice , quantum mechanics , antarctic sea ice , arctic ice pack
This investigation focuses on the dynamic process of ice accretion and induced surface discharges along a suspension insulator string in relation with the icicle characteristics in icing conditions. Using a high‐speed camera to record the insulator performance, the growth parameters of icicles at different shed edges were calculated and the characteristics of surface discharges were analysed with regards to the lapse time of ice accretion. It was found that the electric field strength can be quickly enhanced to the threshold value of air breakdown strength at the initial stage of ice accumulation, resulting in weak and unstable discharges at the air gaps between the icicles and the insulator shed surface. As the icicle kept elongating toward ice bridging, the discharges became stronger and more stable. The obtained results will be helpful to improve the operating safety of suspension insulators of power networks subjected to icing.