One of the major maintenance issues that industries come across is related to insulator flashovers. The insulator surfaces get contaminated over the years as they are subjected to accumulation of pollutants. This is more common in the coastal areas where the weather conditions are damp. Constant exposure to dew or fog causes the dissolution of the soluble salts in the pollutants and these forms a conductive film over the surface.
This can subsequently lead to pollution flashover, which can result in the tripping of power lines. The problem can become massive for the industry as the flashover on one insulator can extend to the adjoining ones. Excessive outages, in the long run, can interrupt and even halt operations. Therefore, it becomes important to address the issue and prevent insulator flashovers for good. Here are some measures that are recommended for the avoiding them.
Increasing the leakage distance
In large industrial setups with multiple insulators, there is always a risk of lack of coordination between them. The best approach for reducing this risk is to increase the leakage distance. This can be done by using fog-type insulators or increasing the number of units.
Application of semiconducting glaze
Another effective measure is to cover the application insulators with a semiconducting glaze. It enables the flow of a constant leakage current that heats the surface of the insulator and minimizes the moisture of pollution as well. It also shunts bands to minimize the possibility of flashovers.
Periodic cleaning
Periodic cleaning with a high pressure driven abrasive materials such as walnut shells or ground corn cobs is considered beneficial for keeping the insulators in an optimal condition. This is a complex process that requires a great degree of skill and expertise. Look for an expert like https://www.utilityservice.net/ to avail professional cleaning services for industrial insulators.
Periodic washing
Besides periodic cleaning of the insulators, it is important to get the transmission lines washed on the regular basis. This is to be done with high-pressure water that is supplied by pumping equipment. Only trained professionals should do it because water spray is to be aimed accurately towards to string to ensure proper washing.
Replacement and upgrading
Like all other industrial equipment, replacement and upgrading are essential for insulators as well. Non-ceramic insulators are regarded superior to the conventional porcelain ones because they exhibit an improved pollution performance. It is important to keep an eye on the insulators and replace the ones that have come of age.
Covering with silicon rubber
Coating the insulators with a thin layer of silicon rubber is another method that is widely adopted for keeping them in good condition for longer. The surface of this coating is hydrophobic and dirt-repellant, while its pollution performance is at par with that of non-ceramic insulators. A thin layer or petroleum may also be used to cover the insulator for minimizing the impact of pollution.
Taking these measures can considerably improve the insulators’ performance and prevent flashovers as well. Therefore, partnering with a provider that offers these services is a decision that can make all the difference for your business.
