Leakage current monitoring of insulators exposed to marine and industrial pollution

This paper presents the results of a research project considering 13.8 kV distribution line and 88 kV transmission line insulators, exposed to marine and industrial pollution, respectively. Leakage current measurements were performed in the field. Tests were performed in the laboratory and registration instruments were developed to enable measurements of the leakage current values in the field and at the laboratory. Various correlations were performed with the measurements of: leakage current; climatic conditions; and the amount of the pollutants on the insulators surface. Suitable insulators were selected for distribution lines and permissible levels of the leakage current were analyzed for transmission lines.