Int.].•lect, Engng Educ, Vol. 8, pp, 45-51. Pergamon Press Ltd 1970.

Printed in Great Britain

Potential Distribution over a string of Suspension Insulators

byE. A-Z. H. TAHA
Electrical Engineering Department, Assiut University, Egypt, U.A.R.

List of symbols
C = series capacitance of each unit in the string;
Cm = capacitance from link m to earth;
Cm = equivalent capacitance to earth of a string with m units;
11m ) = current through insulator (m);
im = current from link m to earth through cm;
Em = potential oflink m to earth;
elm) = Em - E m- 1 = potential across insulator unit (m);
fm = CmIC;
n = number of units in the string;
Suffixes 1, 2 , m, , n, refer to link order,
and (1), (2), , (m), , (n), refer to insulation unit order.

Introduction
With the tendency towards high voltage A.C. transmission systems, strings with a large
number of units are commonly used. Analytical methods, (1) as well as graphical methods, (2)
have been used based on classical methods of calculations. However, both methods tend to
be long and tedious. In this paper the problem has been rationalized and general equations
have been introduced. This solution is based on constant and variable capacitances from
links to earth. The graphical solution is ofsome use in classrooms and is much easier than
that mentioned in (2).

Tower InsuhL~or

(1)
Tetl'

(2)
t
ew
+I
I
I
I
m·I
t
lm) elm)
m
tI
I
I
n-t t
e(n)
...L

Fig. 1. A string ofn-units

D

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46
Method of analysis
Figure 1 shows a string of suspension insulators with n-units. It is seen that each unit is
represented by a series capacitance C. The effect between links and earth is represented by
shunt capacitances Cl,C2, .... ,Cm, .•.• Cn between links 1,2, .... ,m, ...• ,n, and earth respectively.
This assumes that the flux between links and earth does not traverse the adjacent insulator
unit and neglects any return to points oflower potential of the string. Starting from the top of
unit number (1) or actually at link 0 at the earthed side of the string, the potentials oflinks to
earth, the currents through units, and the equivalent capacitances of the string are
respectively:

El, E 2 , ..•......•.... , Em , ...•..•..•.... , En

1(1), 1(2), • • • • • • • • • • • • • • , I(m), •••••••••••••• , I(n)

and C1 ,C2 , , Cm , , Cn.

Greater capacitive current passes through unit (2) than through unit (1), hence, the voltage
across unit (2) is greater than that across unit (1) i.e. e(21 > e(l). Thus the voltage is not
balanced along the string. This unbalance is pronounced as the number of insulator units and
the ratios cmlCis increased.

Strings with constant capacitances to earth

The effect of the guard ring is neglected, and capacitances from links to earth are taken
equal, thus we have

Cl = C2 = = Cm = = Cn = C (I)

Let us have a string ofn units and with a potential En to earth. The ratio clC is known and it
is desired to find the potential distribution as well as the efficiency of the string.

(a) For a string of I-units

Figure 2 shows a string of l-units, The total equivalent capacitance of the string to earth at
link I is C and C in parallel, thus

C1 = equivalent capacitance at link 1 = C +C (2)

~=~~ ~
i 1 = E 1 • osc (4)
In = total current = 1(1) +i 1 = E 1• wC +E 1• wC = E 1 • w(C + c) = E 1• wC1 (5)
e(l) = E1

cr-tf (I 1
T
(1) e{l)
1
I
r. __ tl-l C."<!uchr
1

Fig. 2. A string ofI-units Fig. 3. A string of2-units

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47
(b) FOT a stringof2-units
Figure 3 shows a string of2-units. At link 1, G and e are connected in parallel, thus they can be
replaced by one single capacitance Gl = G + e. At link 2 the capacitance to earth is e in
parallel with C and Gl in series, i.e,

G2 = GlG/(Gl + G) + e (7)
El/E2 = G/(Cl + C) = 1/(fl + 1) (8)
E l = E2/(fl + 1) (9)
i2 = E 2 • we (10)
Iiz = /(2) + iz = El. wG + E2. we = E2C/(Cl + G). wGl + E2. we = E2. WC2 (11)
em = El = E 2 /(fl + 1) (12)
e(2) = E2 - El = E2.fl/(fl + 1) (13)
String efficiency = working volt. across n-units -;- (n X working volt. across line unit)
= E 2/2e(2) = (fl + 1)/2 fl (14)
(c) FOT a string oftv-units
For a string with n-units, we have
Cl = C +e get fl = Cl/C
G2 = GlG/(Gl + G) + e getf2 = G2/G

Gm = Gm-lG/(Cm-l + C) + e getfm = Gm/C (IS)

Gn-l = Gn-2G/(Gn-2 + G) + e get fn-l = Gn-l/G (16)

E n-l = En/(fn-l + 1) get E n-l (17)
En-2 = E n-l/(fn-2 + I) = [En/(fn-l + 1] . [1/(fn-2 + 1)] (18)
e(n) = En - E n-l = Enfn-l/(fn-l + 1) (19)
String efficiency = En/ne(nl = (fn-1 + 1)/(n,fn-l) (20)
The potential of link m and that across unit (m) may take the following form
Em = Em+1/(fm + 1) = + 1)] . [1/(fn-2 + 1)]
[Enf(fn-l [l/(fm + 1)] (21)
elm) = Em - E m-l = Emfm-l/(fm-l + 1)
= [En/(fn-l + 1)] . [1/(fn-2 + 1)] .... [1/(fm + 1)] . [fm-1/(fm-1 + 1)] (22)
Appendix I shows a numerical example for a string with 6-units.

Graphical solution of strings with constant capacitances to earth

A graphical solution, for the determination of the potential distribution, may be performed
in the following steps (see Fig. 4).
1. Tlb any horizontal distance, ba = riq: = C, qlPl = e
thus PlTl = PIql + qlTl = e + G = Gl
2. q2T2 = GGl/(G + Gl),P2q2 = e
thusP2T2 = P2'Tl = P2q2 + q2T2 = e + GG1/(G + Gl) = G2
3. Similarly

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48
generally: Pnrn = Pn'rn = Pnqn + qnrn = C + CCn-I/(C + Cn-l) = Cn
4. IfbSn = En, thus
bSn- 1
-
brn
-= - -
qnrn
=
0!_::1 C/(Cn-l + C)_ = C/(C n- l + C)
bSn brl qn-Irn-l Cn-l

C
bSn- 1 =C--C
is.: = En/(fn-l + 1) = En-l
n-l +
SnSn-l = bSn - bSn-l = En - E n-l = ern)

LINE OF CONSTANT
UN rr CAPACITANCE TO EARTH
ct.

Fig. 4. Graphical solution of potential distribution

As the number of insulator units exceeds 5 or 6, the equivalent capacitance to earth does
not change too much. Also the points rs,ra ... rn approach each other and thus, there is no
need to continue to find r7,r8 ••• Similarly for strings with more than 6 units parallel lines
rnSn-1>rn-1Sn-2 . . . raSs are all drawn from ra. This may be easily seen from Appendix II.

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49
Suspension insulators with variable capacitance to earth
In practice the capacitances from links to earth depend on the position of the unit with respect
to the leg of the tower and earth wires. As shown in Fig. 1 capacitance at link m to earth is
taken as Cm for any value of m,
Thus the equivalent capacitance to earth at link m may take the following form

Cm = XCm-1C/(Cm-l + C)X + Cm (23)

At link m, we have

I(m+l) = I(m) + i m
or Em. wCm = Em-I. wCm-1 + Em. WCm
i.e. wEm(Cm - Cm) = wE m-1 Cm - 1
thus Em-1/Em = C/(Cm- 1 + C) = 1/(fm - 1 + 1)

It
100 k:----r----r---,----r-~~--""T--I-_,
n= 1

c2,

2oj-----+-+--+--t--p:=.-..~~==:=1

I0 I---t---+----+--~r-----r_--_r--I-l

.s,
C
Ol---+----l----+----II---+:---±---+---........- _
o ·05 ·10 ·15 ·20 .25 ·30 ·35 ·40

Fig. 5. Universal efficiency chart,c = cap.from links to earth, C = series cap. qfeach unit

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50

A similar procedure as before may be followed but with new values oflI,f2 .. . ,fm.,fn-I,
corresponding to new equivalent capacitances to earth CI, C2, ... Cm Cn- I which have
been changed due to variation in CI, C2, ••• ,Cm, ••• ,Cn-I.
It should be noticed that the line of constant unit capacitance to earth, shown in Fig. 4, is no
longer a line. The value of capacitances to earth may be taken as follows
hqI = CI, P2q2 = C2, Psqs = Cs and P4q4 = C4, ••••••••
Efficiency chart of string insulators
Figure 5 shows a universal efficiency chart which depends on 2 parameters (cIC) and n.
This chart is produced from equation (20) and for different values of (cIC) and number of
insulator units. This universal chart is only valid for cases with constant capacitances from
links to earth. However, for variable capacitances from links to earth the general procedure
may be used to get the efficiency of the string.

Conclusions
A graphical method is introduced for the evaluation of the potential distribution in cases with
constant and variable capacitances from links to earth. An analytical method is adopted to
fit for any number of insulators. For strings with a large number of insulators, an approximation
is introduced to overcome this problem which proves to be of great importance. A universal
chart ofstring efficiency with constant capacitances from links to earth is introduced.

Acknowledgement
Dr. Taha wishes to acknowledge the discussions and the advice provided by Prof.
M. M. Azzouz, Electrical Engineering Department, Assiut University.

References
1 T. H. CARR. Substation Practice. pp. 367-373. Chapman & Hall, London (1952)
2 A. SCHWAIGER, Theory ofDielectrics. pp. 127-144. Chapman & Hall, London (1932)

Appendix I
In order to find out the advantages of this method, an example is analytically and
graphically solved as follows:
Consider a suspension type insulator consisting of6 similar units. The ratio of capacity of
earth unit insulator to the capacity, relative to earth, of each intermediate section of connecting
metal-work is ten to one, assuming no leakage takes place. Estimate the P. U. Voltage across
each unit.
Where C = 10, C = 1
11
CI = 1 + 10 = 11 II - 10 = 1·100
11 x 10
C2 = 1 + 11 16 + = 6·24 ,J'1'.2 = 6·24 = 0.624
10

, Is =j~~
6·24 x 10
Cs = 1 +&24 + 10 = 4·84 = 0·484

4·84 x 10 4'26 = 0.426

C4 = 1 + 4'26 + 10
1'4 =
= 4·26 'J' 10

C. 1 + 4·26 X 10 3.99 3·99

= =
'J~
1'. = - - =
10 0.399
u 4.26 + 10
3·99 x 10 3·85
C6 = 1 + 3.99 + 10 = 3·85 ,J'1'.6 = -10- = 0·385

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51

Table 1 summarizes the results obtained.

The string efficiency = Enlne<nl = 1/(6 x 0·285) = 0·584.
This may be easily obtained from Fig. 5 if clC = 1/10, and n = 6.
Figure 4 shows the graphical solution for this string (taking n = 6).
Measuring the individual voltages of the units, we have the following results
ern = 0·10 ,e(2l = 0·11 ,e(3l = 0·13
e(4l = 0·16 ,e(Sl = 0·21 ,e(Sl = 0·29

Table 1. Analyticalsolution

Unit No. - Cm
f,m- Em + 1
(m) C C (fm + 1) Em = \1m + if elm) = Em - Em_l

1 11·00 1·100 2·100 0·0988 0·0988

2 6·24 0·624 1·624 0·2075 0·1087
3 4·84 0·484 1·484 0·3375 0·1300
4 4·26 0·426 1·426 0·5020 0·1645
5 3·99 0·399 1·399 0·7150 0·2130
6 3·85 0·385 1·385 1·0000 0·2850

Appendix II
When the number ofstring units is more than 6, the graphical method (see Fig. 4) seems
to be inaccurate and the perpendicular lines qsrs, qsTs, .... approach each other. Table 2
gives the values of the ratios/I,f2, 1g for strings having the ratio, clC varying from
0·05 to 0·25 in steps ofO·05.

Table2. VaTiation of equioaleni capacitance to earth (Cm = C./m)

lim/m *
clC /l /2 fa /4 /s /6 /7 /s /0 m-+ 00

0·05 1·05 0·56 0·41 0·34 0·30 0·28 0·27 0·26 0·26 0·25
0·10 HO 0·62 0·48 0·43 0·40 0·39 0·39 0·37 0·37 0·37
0·15 H5 0·69 0·56 0·51 0·49 0·48 0·47 0·47 0·47 0·47
0·20 1·20 0·75 0·63 0·58 0·57 0·56 0·56 0·56 0·56 0·56
0·25 1·25 0·81 0·70 0·65 0·65 0·64 0·64 0·64 0·64 0·64

*As the number of units tends to 00, equation (15) may take the following form
or f, "",~Jm_ +-.E
m /m + 1 C

It is seen that values of equivalent capacitances C7 = C.f7' Cs = C./s, Co = CIg are nearly
constant. In other words, if a graphical solution is tried for cases more than 6 units, there is
no actual need to get C7, Cs, Cg .... , but it is possible to stop at Cs and all parallel lines for
potential distribution over the 6th unit may be drawn from TS. This approximation proves to
give a 5 per cent error, in potential distribution, for low values of ciC. However, this error
reduces very much for high values of ciC.

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