ELECTRICAL TEST METHODS FOR NON-CERAMIC INSULATORS USED FOR LIVE LINEREPLACEMENT

The utilities frequently use non-ceramic insulators for live line main tenance. These insulators are not always tested electrically during ma nufacture. Undetected internal failures in an insulator may endanger w orkers performing live line maintenance on the insulators. The life li ne maintenance requires careful testing of each insulator before use. For the selection of the most effective test method, insulators were p urposely made with internal flaws and then subjected to megger, hot st ick, partial discharge and RIV tests as well as measurement of the tot al and surface component of leakage current, together with surface hea ting measurement.