NON-CERAMIC INSULATORS IN COASTAL TROPICAL

CLIMATES

The Case Study of Tanzania Field Performance of Polymeric Insulators and

Dielectric Characteristics of Silicone Rubber and Epoxy Resin Formulations

Aviti Thadei

A Thesis Submitted in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of

Master of Science (Electrical Power Engineering) of the University of Dar es

Salaam

University of Dar es Salaam

2010
 ABSTRACT

Since use of non-ceramic insulators (NCIs) began worldwide in 1970s, researchers have been

busy perfecting these products, monitoring them in service and analysing their failure modes. In

Tanzania, there is need to monitor and evaluate NCIs for use in its tropical climates. This tropical

climate is characterised by heavy rains, high insolation resulting to high temperatures and high

humidity. One aim is to investigate and evaluate aging and performance of NCIs in these climates

regarding their hydrophobicity (HC), layer conductivity, quantifying oxidation and chalking

indices. Another aim is investigation in order to characterise the dielectric properties of polymeric

formulations.

Achieving those objectives necessitated adopting methods such as field visits, Swedish

Transmission Research Institute (STRI) guide for HC measurements, guide for visual

observations of damage and deterioration (STRI, 2005) and Fourier Transform Infrared

Spectroscopy (FTIR) spectra. In addition, characterising the polymeric formulations used surface

and volume resistivity methods and dielectric frequency spectroscopy. Fit of the resistivity data to

curves used robust regression methods, which are resistant to outliers.

Results indicated excellent performance of NCIs in Tanzania regardless of poor HC, higher layer

conductivity caused by high contamination, deterioration and damage. Contamination caused

failure of one insulator from Masaki substation with its surfaces showing presence of oxidation

and chalking products. In addition, High Voltage yard insulators showed varying degrees of

material deterioration and layer conductivity with varying degrees of HC. Dielectric

characterisation of polymeric formulations showed higher surface and volume resistivities.

Furthermore, there were higher dielectric losses in silicone rubber (SIR) than in epoxy resin. SIR

displayed both low and higher frequency relaxations whereas epoxy resin displayed higher

frequency relaxations. There was low and higher frequency relaxation exacerbated by electrode
polarisation in series combined SIR and epoxy resin. The dielectric losses contained dc

conductivity, hopping conductivity and electrode polarisations.

With these findings, the Tanzania utility is urged to speed up upgrading insulation for distribution

and transmission lines. In addition, it could set up a R&D department to deal with NCIs.