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E-field modeling of insulator and hardware applications has become a

valuable tool to ensure proper corona protection for a transmission
assembly before submitting for laboratory testing or for installation
and energization in the field. One of the benefits of completing E-field
models is that multiple combinations of insulators, corona rings, Transformer Bushing Life
shields and hardware can be evaluated in order to quickly and Cycle Management:
efficiently satisfy customer requirements. This can be done for new Specification, Operation &
projects at the developmental stage or for troubleshooting existing
Diagnostic Methods (Video)
applications that may have been applied without sufficient corona
protection.

This edited contribution to INMR by Edward Niedospial, Technical

Director – Transmission at MacLean Power Systems, defines a case
study completed on a 138 kV braced post application that was
originally designed and applied without corona rings. While it may
have performed well, it no longer met today’s stricter corona
performance criteria. Dielectric Frequency
Response to Diagnose
Condition of Bushings
The subject 138 kV braced post model was designed and supplied
without corona rings, as was the standard practice at the time, when
corona rings were typically added mainly for 230 kV applications and
above. Over approximately 16 years in service, some of these
applications raised concern about corona related ageing of the
polymeric sheath, specifically on the line post insulator of the braced
post assembly. To determine the ideal corona protection for this
braced post design, E-field modeling was employed to try various and Infrared & UV Inspection of
compare different corona ring combinations. Overhead Transmission
Lines

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Klöckner Desma
Elastomertechnik
GmbH
Germany

PFISTERER
Germany

See more suppliers of Laboratory & Field Testing

Equipment

E-Field Model Assumptions

• Test Lab Simulation

• Voltage applied to line end and hardware: 80 kV

• Voltage applied to tower and hardware: 0 kV (ground)

• Single phase at 22 ft ground clearance

• 138 kV braced post (BP)

a) BP model with no corona ring

b) BP model with 8” corona ring (CR) on brace insulator

c) BP model with 8” CR on brace and 6” CR on line post insulator

• The brace and line post insulators are connected using a hot line
fitting, which is unique to this design. (Note: For this case study, this

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hotline fitting was not changed since the focus was on addition of
corona rings, for easier upgrades of existing applications).

Objective

Model the ideal braced post arrangement to satisfy the

recommended Industry performance criteria for E-field stress limits.

Performance Criteria

• Limit of E-field stress on end fittings and grading rings: 2.0 kV/mm

• Limit of average E-field stress along sheath surface: 0.42 kV/mm

Fig. 1: E-field model set-up.

Note: Results and conclusions for the proposed 138 kV braced post models are specific
to defined phase-to-ground clearance, as defined by the customer. The tighter the
phase spacing, the higher the E-field stresses can become.

Case Study Background

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Stresses on the line post insulator are different than on the brace
insulator. Since the brace, or suspension, insulator has stacked sheds,
the sheath is protected from higher electrical stresses at the line end
even without a corona ring. Moreover, the larger corona ball feature
on the brace end fitting further helps reduce amount of stress on the
sheath.

This case study will identify the E-field stresses for 3 different braced
post configurations in order to determine the ideal corona ring
applications for 138 kV braced post design.

Fig. 2: Brace Insulator stress plot.

Fig. 3: Line post stress plot.

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For well-defined comparable results, each configuration had

measurements taken at the same positions along the insulator to
observe the levels of stress. Data points were captured along the end
fitting, sheath, sheds, and corona rings.
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Configuration #1: 138 kV Braced Post, No Corona Rings

Brace Insulator
The average stress on the end fitting is high, with a max stress above
the industry performance limit 2.0 kV/mm. Though this initially
appears to be a concern, the stress is on the corona ball away from
the silicone rubber; the presence of the stacked sheds minimize the
impact this stress could have on the sheath. Therefore, there is no
concern for premature aging of the sheath on this brace insulator.
• Average Stress on the End fitting = 1.95 kV/mm [Max Stress = 2.11
kV/mm]
• Average Stress on the Sheath Surface = < 0.17 kV/mm (measured
beyond shed #3)
• No exposed sheath between shed #3 and end fitting.

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Fig. 4: Brace insulator without corona ring.

Table 1A: Case 1

Line Post Insulator

In general, the stresses are lower on the post than on the brace
insulator above. The average stress on the end fitting is not an
immediate issue. Since the stresses on the sheath are at the
threshold value, there is concern of premature ageing of the sheath
between shed #1 and the end fitting.
• Average stress on end fitting = 0.77 kV/mm [max stress = 0.94
kV/mm]
• Average stress on sheath surface (EF & shed #1) = 0.46kV/mm [max
stress = 0.49 kV/mm]
• Stress on sheath surface (sheds #1 & #2) = < 0.16 kV/mm

Fig. 5: Line post insulator without corona ring.

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Table 1B: Case 1

Configuration #1: Final Observations of E-Field Analysis

Observations for Brace

• E-field stress focused on the EF corona ball feature, around entire
EF, and some stress on the barrel.
• 1.95 kV/mm average stress on EF (above 1.8 kV/mm limit)
• No stress exposure on the sheath due to the stacked shed feature.
• Stress on first exposed segment of sheath at points 13-15 are below
the 0.42 kV/mm threshold.
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Observations for Post

• E-field stress focused on the top side of end fitting.
• Bottom of EF appears to be getting protection from clamp.
• Stress on EF is below the 1.8 kV/mm threshold.
• Stress on sheath at points 4-5 are above the 0.42 kV/mm
threshold, potentially leading to premature ageing of sheath.

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Fig. 6: Braced post stress plot without corona rings.

Configuration #2: 138 kV Braced Post – 8” Corona Ring on Brace

Insulators Only

Brace Insulator
Addition of the 8” corona ring on this insulator corrects the high
stresses on the end fitting, resulting in a brace insulator that is fully
compliant with industry limits.
• Average stress on end fitting = 0.47 kV/mm [down from 1.95 kV/mm]
• Average stress on corona ring surface = 0.99 kV/mm
• Average stress on sheath surface = < 0.17 kV/mm

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Fig. 7: Brace insulator with 8” corona ring.

Table 2A: Case 2

Line Post Insulator

There is some improvement to this insulator from addition of the 8”
corona ring to the brace insulator. However, there is still some stress
above the 0.42 kV/mm threshold, potentially being a source for
premature ageing of the sheath near the end fitting.
• Average stress on end fitting = 0.66 kV/mm [down from 0.77 kV/mm]
• Average stress on sheath surface (EF & shed #1) = 0.33 kV/mm [max
stress = 0.45 kV/mm]

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Fig. 8: Braced post stress plot without corona rings.

Configuration #2: Final Observations of E-Field Analysis

Observations for Brace

• E-field seems to be focused on top side of corona ring, facing
outside of BP.
• Some stress on connection hardware but still below the 1.8 kV/mm
threshold.
• E-field stress moves from EF to corona ring.
• 75% improvement from EF to corona ring.
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Observations for Post

• E-Field stress focused on top side of end fitting.
• Bottom of EF appears to be getting protection from clamp.
• 15% improvement on EF.
• 28% improvement on sheath.
• Still some concern of stress at point 4 on sheath

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Fig. 9: Braced post stress plot w/ 8” CR on brace.

Configuration #3: 138 kV Braced Post – 8” Corona Ring on Brace &

6” Corona Ring on Line Post

Brace Insulator
Addition of 8” corona ring on this insulator corrects the high stresses
on end fitting, resulting in a brace insulator that is fully compliant with
industry limits.
• Average stress on end fitting = 0.37 kV/mm [down from 0.47 kV/mm
in model #2]
• Average stress on sheath surface = < 0.2 kV/mm

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Fig. 10: Brace insulator with 8” corona ring.

Table 3A: Case 3

Line Post Insulator

Addition of the 6” corona ring onto this insulator, along with the 8”
corona ring on the brace, provide the ideal corona protection for this
braced post assembly. This configuration has the best performance,
with no stresses above industry limits on either the end fitting or
sheath of the line post.
• Average stress on end fitting = 0.14 kV/mm [down from 0.66 kV/mm
in model #2]
• Average stress on corona ring surface = 0.38 kV/mm
• Average stress on sheath surface (EF & shed #1) = 0.22 kV/mm
[down from 0.34 kV/mm]

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Fig. 11: Braced post stress plot with 6” corona ring.

Table 3B: Case 3

Configuration #3: Final Observations of E-Field Analysis

Observations for Brace

• E-field stress focused on top side of corona ring, facing outside of
the BP.
• Some stress on connection hardware but still below the 1.8 kV/mm
threshold.
• E-field stress moves from EF to corona ring.
• 80% improvement from the EF to corona ring.

Observations for Post

• E-field stress is practically eliminated.
• 80% improvement in EF to corona ring.
• 50% improvement on sheath.
• LP compliant to all limits.
• Ideal corona protection for the braced post assembly

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Fig. 12: Braced post stress plot w/CR on both brace & line post.

EDP
Labelec
Portugal

ABB and PEHLA

Laboratories
Germany

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See more Laboratories

Conclusions
Historically, the corrective action for this 138 kV braced post case
example may have been to just add the 8” corona ring onto the brace
insulator, which does improve performance of the braced post
assembly. However, upon reviewing E-field results in the tables
below, even with the corona ring on the brace, the line post is still
potentially vulnerable to stresses at point 4 on the sheath at the end
fitting connection point.

Table 4: Comparison of Three Cases

Fig. 13: Braced post stress plot comparison of Cases 1, 2, & 3.

Major Take Aways

• The E-field model could be used to quantify with measurable data

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the differences (variations) from case to case of various corona ring

combinations, putting forward solutions that are proven to work and
meet customer expectations.
• The hot line fitting displaces the brace corona ring further from the
line post, removing the shielding the brace corona ring would
normally have for the line post. Hence the need for the line post
corona ring.

Appendix A:

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Appendix B:

MPS Stacked Sheds protect the sheath of the suspension insulator

from electrical stress and corona, preventing the onset of premature
aging of the silicone sheath. This protection of the sheath is
applicable with and without corona rings. This feature was developed
to offset the effects of Water Droplet Corona.

Appendix C:

  

← Insulation Capability & Degradation of Highly-Aged XLPE

Cables Decommissioned from Service on Power Grids
(Video)

Alternatives for External Insulation in EHV & UHV Bushings

→

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