Methods to reduce the risk of wooden pole ignition

•Root cause analysis of a common type of pole ignition process.•Pole ignition process was modeled based on findings from past research works (referred appropriately in the document) and explained mathematically using Laplace transform theory.•Explained ‘dielectric coating’ method in detail based on the model.•Described other pole ignition prevention methods and compared with the predefined performance metrics.

A number of reported wooden pole ignition incidences show evidence that the source was located near the pole bolt/pin mounting hardware. This has been observed for environmentally stressed insulators, as well as for larger overhead equipment in situations where the wooden pole has become the dominant part of the leakage conduction path through loss/deterioration of a case ground conductor. In both of these cases, the bolt-to-wood interface is the focal point for the leakage current. A mechanism which can cause pole ignition in these situations is examined with comprehensive details. This paper suggests a novel method to reduce the risk of wooden pole ignition. The mathematical basis of the suggested method is also explained.