Downloads: 1
Research Paper | Electrical Power Engineering | Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026 | Pages: 681 - 687 | India
Electric Stress Analysis of Non-Uniform Hydrophobic Surface of 400 KV High Voltage Polymer Insulator
Abstract: Polymer insulators are widely used in HV transmission due to their intrinsic hydrophobicity, which prevents water film formation and leakage current. However, hydrophobicity degrades non-uniformly in service, typically weakening near the end fittings, yet most studies assume uniform surface behavior. This study numerically investigates electric field and potential distribution along a 400 kV alternating shed polymer insulator under non-uniform hydrophobicity using COMSOL Multiphysics. Three hydrophilic fractions (22.2%, 66.7%, 100%) were modeled alongside a clean and dry condition, using Hydrophobicity Class 7 and Class 2 to represent the hydrophobic and hydrophilic regions. Results show the peak field does not vary monotonically with hydrophilic fraction, 22.2% produced the highest stress, nearly five times the dry condition, due to conductivity discontinuity at the wet-dry boundary, while higher fractions showed fields comparable to or below the dry case. Terminal current increased only marginally with hydrophilic fraction, uncorrelated with the local field enhancement, indicating that partial hydrophobicity loss poses greater flashover risk than complete loss, and that leakage current monitoring alone is insufficient for its detection.
Keywords: Electric stress, Hydrophobicity, Polymer Insulator, Leakage Current
How to Cite?: Vrushank S. Chavan, "Electric Stress Analysis of Non-Uniform Hydrophobic Surface of 400 KV High Voltage Polymer Insulator", Volume 15 Issue 8, August 2026, International Journal of Science and Research (IJSR), Pages: 681-687, https://www.ijsr.net/getabstract.php?paperid=SR26810111507, DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.21275/SR26810111507