Equipment for simulating and evaluating flashovers on electric insulators - uses impedance network to simulate operating potentials on insulator and fibre optics to detect discharges

摘要

The equipment comprises a hollow insulator casing (34) which contains an array of metal discs and impedances (35) to simulate operating potentials when energised at high voltage or extra high voltage. Spark gaps simulate brush discharges which are detected by optical fibres (37) and then measured (40). The hollow insulator may be evacuated or filled with an inert gas (45) and also heated or cooled (46). The temp. and humidity of the environment are also measured (44). Any desired polluting condition may be applied to the insulator and the resulting surface leakage currents measured (42). ADVANTAGE - Risk of flashover on any design of insulator due to pollution may be reliably assessed using simple easily operated equipment.