LONG TERM PERFORMANCE OF RTV SIR-COATED CERAMIC INSULATORS IN HIGHLY POLLUTED ENVIRONMENT

• Main Author: Wijaya, Andriansa
• Format: Theses
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/86862
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

The reliability of electrical power distribution is heavily dependent on the performance of outdoor insulators. The study focuses on the evaluation of post-pin ceramic insulators, comparing those coated with RTV SiR and those uncoated after being installed after nine years of service at the Pangandaran Substation near the coastal area in West Java, Indonesia, from 2012 to 2021. These insulators are constantly exposed to 11 kV of voltage and environmental factors like humidity, temperature, and pollution, which make the surfaces wear down faster and make them more likely to leakage currents, which could cause flashovers. The research reveals that coated insulators exhibit higher insulation resistance and better performance in preventing leakage currents under various conditions, including dry, clean, and salt fog environments. Measurements indicate that the coated insulators consistently outperform the uncoated ones, significantly reducing leakage current and total harmonic distortion (THD). However, with age, its effectiveness may decrease. Leakage current measurements showed that the insulator was consistently heavy beyond the uncoated insulator in areas with a lot of pollution and long operating lives, which meant that visual and thermovision inspections were needed. Performance degradation must be prevented to avoid Flashover. The study strongly recommends using RTV SiR-coated insulators in environments with high humidity and pollution to mitigate flashovers and maintain the reliability of power transmission systems.