Thermal Characteristics of the Polluted Silicone Rubber During the Formation Process of Dry Band and Arc Discharge

Monitoring operation conditions of composite insulators is an essential component of Smart Grid construction. This paper tried to explore the thermal evolution law in the formation of dry band and arc discharge on the silicone rubber surface. Fiber Bragg gratings (FBGs) were embedded into the interface of the silicone rubber plate and epoxy resin plate. Interface grating temperature, surface infrared temperature, surface visible light image and ultraviolet discharge image were recorded during the formation process of dry band and arc discharge. Test results found that surface temperature and interface temperature both increased during the dry band formation with no surface discharge. Surface temperature rise and interface temperature rise are about 28. 2°C and 2. 6°C, respectively. In the stage of arc discharge, surface temperature reached the maximum value of 58. 0°C. The maximum interface temperature rise is about 4. 5°c resulting from solid heat transfer caused by high surface temperature. The interface temperature characteristics during the formation of dry band and arc discharge provide a new possibility for the monitoring of insulator surface condition.