Contamination assessment of insulators using microsystem technology with fuzzy-based approach

Insulators of the overhead power lines have exposed to the outdoors for a long time and are easy to be affected by the salt contamination. Salt contamination may cause flashover occur and affects the power supply even reduces the reliability of the power system. In order to avoid insulator flashovers, maintenance staffs need to do periodic washing of the insulators. However, major drawbacks of this method include high installation and operational costs. Therefore, to decide to the appropriate time for washing becomes particularly important. The purpose of this paper is to use the fuzzy logical method to evaluate the pollution condition of overhead power lines insulator by mean of leakage current and environment facts. Firstly, this study investigates and analyzes the contamination flashover process of insulators, and the method of preventing the flashover. Then, by choosing leakage current, relative humidity, dew-point deficit and wind speed as input parameters and put evaluation method based on into fuzzy algorithm. The result could be used to evaluate the condition of polluted insulators more effectively. Finally, through the case studies to verify that the system has the same result with the power utility and analysis results are displayed on the webpage which including the leakage current, the insulator pollution level and time for surface cleaning which can provide important references for maintenance.