Numerical Simulation of the Electric Field and Potential Distribution Analysis in a 20 kV Polymeric Insulator Under the Influence of Mechanical Defects and Various Non-Uniform Pollution Patterns

Articles in Press

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

1 Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Semnan University, Semnan, Iran

2 Department of Robotic and Electrical Engineering, Shahrood University of Technology, Shahrood, Iran

Abstract

The presence of non-uniform pollution deposits on the surface of insulators, along with mechanical defects, significantly affects the performance of overhead line insulators. However until now, no comprehensive studies have been conducted on the simultaneous effect of different types of non-uniform pollution and mechanical defects on insulator performance. In this paper the effects of uniform and non-uniform pollution, including the ring-shaped (RNU) and ring-longitudinal (RLNU) types, along with mechanical defects such as a damaged shed and a defective core, on the potential distribution and electric field of a 20 kV polymeric insulator have been investigated. The simulations were performed using COMSOL Multiphysics and the results were analyzed. In the case of longitudinal non-uniform pollution, the pollution severity was assumed to be heavy in the regions near the electrodes and light in the middle region. Additionally for the ring-shaped non-uniform pollution the inner and outer areas were assumed to be equal with pollution applied to the inner region of the insulator. The results indicate that the maximum electric field in the uniform pollution condition is higher than in other pollution patterns. Moreover the presence of mechanical defects, such as damage to the shed and core, has a significant impact on the potential distribution and the maximum electric field. Specifically compared to a healthy insulator the presence of these defects leads to an increase in the maximum electric field in three regions: the high-voltage region the middle region, and the low-voltage region.

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Main Subjects

Journal of Modeling in Engineering

Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 14 September 2025

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History

  • Receive Date: 11 March 2025
  • Revise Date: 16 May 2025
  • Accept Date: 07 July 2025

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