Performance improvement of 33 kV line-post insulators in harsh environment

Comprehensive standard tests were conducted on 33 kV line-post porcelain insulators in order to improve their performance in harsh environment in comparison to the newly introduced polymeric ones. These tests are the lightning impulse withstand and flashover tests, and the AC artificial pollution tests. The latter were conducted in a salt-fog chamber. Silicone rubber insulators showed superior performance than adding heat-shrinkable and wraparound creepage extenders to the existing line-post porcelain insulators or using new polymeric insulators.