A Method for Predicting Insulator Lifespan and Aging Based on Infrared Thermography under Various Environmental Factors

Abstract

Presently, a typical use of insulators is external insulation for transmission and distribution lines. However, silicone rubber and other materials of various insulators gradually lose their age and electrical insulation characteristics over time due to the long-term effects of pollution, UV radiation, discharge, temperature, humidity, altitude, and other complex and natural environmental and service factors. Aging of various insulators in a mountainous environment is very important for its longevity. To determine the aging of insulators the microscopic structure, physical characteristics, group functioning, and chemical conditions of several samples with varying exposure durations are to be considered for accuracy. In this paper, infrared thermography algorithm is proposed to find the aging and lifespan of various insulators consisting of porcelain, glass and ceramic insulators.Infrared thermography algorithm of image processing is used for detecting and analysing temperature anomalies that develop over time due to aging and degradation. Simulation is performed for various samples of insulators for identifying the key factors such as aging, lifespan, expose time, accelerated time and the tensile strength parameters etc.