SPARK STAR 69/2023

Failure of Disc Insulator on 132KV SC line

SITUATION
Disc insulator string was puncturing on 132 KV SC line frequently.
Observation
1. As observed these incidences are resulting during Lightning strike condition.
2. On field patrolling, it was found with non-availability of EARTH wire on that
section.
TASK
Task was framed for replacement of the disc insulator by new Long Rod insulator
string and the cause of such failure was attempted with necessary rectification.
TECHNICAL ANALYSIS
• Due to non-availability of Ground wire and during lightning strike, the possibility
of potential rise and delay in discharge of lightning current was resulting with
failure of disc insulator string.
• In practice, with availability of earth wire, the potential rise on the tower structure
decreases due to quick discharge of current as earth wire helps for possible
discharge path.
• Moreover, due to use of Disc insulators and intermittent link pins, the potential
rise causes the reduction of dielectric strength with subsequent damage of
insulator disc.
• Ground wire provides multiple parallel paths for the lightning strokes through
tower footing resistance connected by passing through the multiple path, the
voltage of the surge gets reduced, thereby reducing the potential at the top of
the Tower

Fig 1 : Failure of DISC Insulator Fig 2 : Replacement with Long Rod

• The earth wire at the portion was provided.
• On provision of EARTH WIRE, insulation failure was greatly reduced.
• If the ground wire is placed above the line conductors maintaining some
distance, the chances of a circuit between the ground wire and line conductor
 can be minimized therefore must be adequate clearance between the phase
conductors and ground wire, so as to ignore the flashover between them.
• Use of Long Rod insulator in the place of Disc insulator because minimum use
of metal parts which minimizes the corrosion problems.
• Long rod insulators can be used for tension & compression loads puncture
proof.
• Long rod insulators are recommended for use in direct current application
because there is no pin corrosion, no ion migration, no problems with Thermal
runway effects.
• Long rod insulators high mechanical strength, free from internal stresses.
RESULT AND RECOMMENDATION:
• It was recommended for the replacement of all DISC insulators with LONG
ROD or Polymer Insulator.