Measurement 147 (2019) 106862

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Measurement
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Analysis of leakage current characteristics during aging process of SiR

insulator under uniform and longitudinal non-uniform pollution
conditions
Jaber Dadashizadeh Samakosh, Mohammad Mirzaie ⇑
Faculty of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Babol Noshirvani University of Technology, Babol, Iran

a r t i c l e i n f o a b s t r a c t

Article history: This paper presents the comprehensive analysis of Leakage Current (LC) of a silicone rubber insulator
Received 8 April 2019 under uniform and longitudinal non-uniform pollution conditions based on a large amount of test data.
Received in revised form 21 July 2019 The experimental tests are carried out under different humidity levels for un-aged and aged samples. The
Accepted 25 July 2019
results obtained indicate that the LC harmonics magnitudes increase with increasing the salt deposit den-
Available online 29 July 2019
sity, aging time, and humidity, while they decrease with increasing the pollution non-uniformity degree.



The analysis of phase angle difference between LC and applied voltage (hIV ) demonstrates that the hIV is
Keywords: ° ° ° ° ° °
in the range of 54.3 –60.4 , 20.1 –32.5 , and 7.5 –11.8 under clean condition, light pollution and moder-
Silicone rubber insulator

Leakage current analysis

ate pollution conditions, respectively. In addition, the hIV is less than 2.3° under heavy pollution condi-
Harmonic components tion. The non-uniformity of pollution distribution and insulator aging time have very little effect on the



Phase angle hIV , while the increase of humidity leads to a slight decrease in the hIV .
Longitudinal non-uniform pollution Ó 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

1. Introduction and fan-shaped non-uniform [17–22]. The electrostatic force on

the air pollution particles around the insulator increases with
Silicone Rubber (SiR) insulators are widely used in the distribu- increasing the electric field. The electric field intensity in the vicin-
tion and transmission overhead lines because of their remarkable ity of high voltage and ground electrodes is higher than the middle
advantages, including hydrophobic nature, good dielectric perfor- region of insulator. Therefore, the vicinity of high voltage and
mance, anti-pollution properties, light weight, easy transportation ground electrodes regions become naturally more polluted
and resistance to vandalism [1–5]. However, the polymeric materi- [22–23].
als are degraded under electrical and environmental stresses such Long-term performance and material degradation due to aging
as partial arc, corona, UltraViolet (UV) radiation, heat, moisture are the main concerns of polymeric insulators during their opera-
and fog [2,6–7]. tion [1]. Accelerated aging test was used by many researchers to
Pollution is one of the main factors in the dielectric properties simulate the field aging of SiR insulators [1,24–25]. The accelerated
degradation of polymeric insulators which may cause the flashover aging test is aging process with combined electrical and environ-
occurrence, overhead power lines outages, and huge economic mental stresses, including the application of high voltage, UV
losses [8–13]. Pollution layer on the insulator surface under wet radiation, heat and humidity under 1000-hour or 5000-hour test
condition reduces the surface resistance that can lead to the flow duration [26–29]. The effect of accelerated aging on the polymeric
of Leakage Current (LC) [11,14–15]. The pollution distribution on insulators was reported as hydrophobicity loss, surface cracking
the insulator surface is practically non-uniform because of the and increase of salt deposition [30–33].
effects of insulator installation position, installation height, insula- Many studies were carried out on the LC waveforms and
tor shape, electrostatic force and weather conditions such as frequency characteristics in order to analysis of surface pollution
rainfall and wind [16–18]. Studies show that the pollution non- conditions of insulators. Experimental results indicate that the
uniformity on the insulator surface can be three types, including insulator surface condition, pollution level and aging can be
top to bottom surface non-uniform, longitudinal non-uniform evaluated well by LC magnitude and low-frequency harmonic
components [3,34–37]. Authors in [2] investigated the effects of
uniform pollution and relative humidity on the waveform and
⇑ Corresponding author. phase angle of LC based on experimental tests. The results show
E-mail address: mirzaie@[Link] (M. Mirzaie). that phase angle analysis of LC is useful to predict the surface

[Link]
0263-2241/Ó 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
2 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862

wetness of porcelain and polymeric insulators. LC waveforms of SiR clean fog was supplied by a cold fog generator which was injected
insulator were evaluated under uniform and top to bottom surface into the chamber (Fig. 2.e).
non-uniform pollution conditions in the clean fog chamber [6]. The
results indicate that the LC magnitude decreases with reduction of 2.2. Test specimen
top to bottom surface Salt Deposit Density (SDD) ratio. In [38], con-
dition assessment of un-aged porcelain and glass insulators was The test sample is a SiR insulator that is commonly used in
conducted using phase angle index under uniform pollution. The 20 kV transmission lines as shown in Fig. 3. The characteristics of
results obtained demonstrate a strong correlation of insulators sur- studied insulator is given in Table 1.
face conditions and phase difference between LC and applied
voltage. 2.3. Accelerated aging test
Although various investigations have been carried out on the LC
characteristics of SiR insulators under polluted and wet surface, A multi-stress aging cycle is consisting of the application of AC
there is still no comprehensive study on the LC characteristics (har- voltage, UV radiation, heat and humidity according to IEC 62,217
monic contents and phase angle) of un-aged and aged SiR insula- [28] and IEC/TR 62,730 [29] standards. In this study, three environ-
tors under uniform and longitudinal non-uniform pollution mental stresses including heat, humidity, and UV radiation and
conditions. This paper aims to investigate the effects of pollution electrical stress were applied to the studied insulator in the aging
level, non-uniformity of pollution distribution, humidity, and aging pffiffiffi
chamber. The nominal AC voltage (20 kV/ 3) was applied contin-
of SiR insulator on the harmonic components and phase angle of
uously in a 24-hour cycle. The thermal stress of 50 degreesC, rel-
LC. The artificial pollution was conducted based on solid layer
ative humidity of 85% and UV stress were applied for 10, 4, and
method under uniform and longitudinal non-uniform pollution
12 h in a 24-hour cycle, respectively. Table 2 presents the com-
conditions. The effect of aging was evaluated by 1000-hour accel-
bined multi-stress cycle adopted in the present study.
erated aging test with multi-stress conditions in the aging
The 1000-hour accelerated aging test under controlled environ-
chamber.
mental conditions was conducted on the studied insulator. The
aging chamber with designed control system is shown in Fig. 4.
2. Experiment Three samples of the studied insulator were placed inside the aging
chamber. After 2 weeks of aging process, the first sample was
2.1. Measurement set-up brought out from the chamber. Also, after 4 weeks and 6 weeks
(full cycle) of aging process, the second and the third samples were
The schematic diagram of test circuit and experimental set-up brought out from the chamber, respectively. After completing the
is shown in Fig. 1. Also, Fig. 2 depicts the views of leakage current aging process, the LC tests were carried out on the un-aged and dif-
measurement set-up. The high voltage transformer set with vari- ferent aged samples in the climate chamber under different
able ratio of 220 V to 0–200 kV was used to energize the test sam- humidity and pollution conditions.
ples. The output voltage of high voltage transformer was
transmitted to inside the chamber by a wall bushing. A 2400 O cur- 2.4. Artificial pollution
rent limiter resistance was connected to the transformer output.
The LC waveform was measured through a leakage current mea- The artificial pollution of the un-aged and different aged sam-
suring device (Fig. 2.a) with variable shunt resistors (Rsh) and also ples was carried out based on the solid layer method using spray
two zener diodes with back to back connection for overvoltage according to IEC 60507 [39] and IEC 60815 [40] standards. Based
protection. A high voltage probe (PINTEK HVP-40) with ratio of on this method, the slurry was made of 40 g of kaolin, appropriate
1000 to 1 and maximum AC voltage 28 kV was used for measuring volume of distilled water and a suitable amount of Nacl according
of applied voltage waveform as shown in Fig. 2.b. Fig. 2.c depicts a to the desired SDD. Then, it was carefully sprayed on the insulator
two-channel digital oscilloscope (RIGOL DS1102E) to record the surface in the regular intervals. The designed system for contami-
applied voltage and LC waveforms. Low voltage side of high voltage nating the insulator surface is shown in Fig. 5. A low speed DC
probe was registered through a multimeter (Fig. 2.d) and it was motor was used for rotating the insulator in order to simplify the
connected to the oscilloscope channel. The tests were carried out contamination process. Also, three heaters were used to dry the
in a climate chamber with dimensions of 2 m  2 m  2 m. The pollution layer and simplify the pollution deposit on the insulator

R=2400 Bushing Fog Outlet

0-220 V / 0-200 kV High

Auto High Voltage Voltage Test Climate
Transformer Transformer Probe Sample Chamber

AC Multimeter
Channel Channel Leakage Current
2 1 Rsh Measuring Device

Digital
Oscilloscope

Fig. 1. Schematic diagram of experimental set-up.

 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862 3

Fig. 2. Views of leakage current measurement set-up, a) leakage current measuring device, b) high voltage probe, c) digital oscilloscope, d) multimeter, e) climate chamber
and fog generator.

surface. After being polluted, the samples were dried in ambient

atmosphere for 24 h and they were suspended vertically into the
climate chamber.
The non-uniformity of pollution distribution was considered in
three longitudinal sections. The insulator surface was divided to
three regions including the vicinity of ground electrode region
(region 1), the middle region (region 2) and the vicinity of high
voltage electrode region (region 3). The described regions of the
studied insulator are shown in Fig. 6. The equivalent SDD of the
whole surface is defined as follows:

SDD1 :S1 þ SDD2 :S2 þ SDD3 :S3

SDD ¼ ð1Þ
S1 þ S2 þ S3
Fig. 3. A view of the studied SiR insulator.
where SDD1 , SDD2 and SDD3 are the salt deposit density of regions 1,
2, and 3 respectively. Also, S1 ,S2 and S3 are the surface areas of

Table 1
Characteristics of the studied insulator.

Voltage class (kV) Mechanical tension strength (kN) Height (mm) Leakage distance (mm) Shed number
20 70 310 680 6
4 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862

Table 2
Heat, humidity, and UV stresses in a 24-hour cycle of accelerated aging test.

Fig. 4. A view of aging chamber.

Fig. 7. A view of polluted SiR insulator (un-aged sample) under SDD = 0.08 mg/cm2,
DC motor a) uniform pollution, b) longitudinal non-uniform pollution.

regions 1, 2 and 3, respectively. It is assumed that the SDDs of

regions 1 and 3 are equal (SDD1 = SDD3) and they are higher than
insulator the SDD of middle region (SDD2). The non-uniformity degree of lon-
gitudinal non-uniform pollution on the insulator surface is defined
heaters as follows:

SDD1 SDD3
Z¼ ¼ ð2Þ
SDD2 SDD2

where the ratio of SDD for region 1 (SDD1 ) to SDD for region 2
(SDD2 ) and also the ratio of SDD for region 3 (SDD3 ) to SDD2 are
spray defined as Z. This equation represents that the SDD for the lateral
regions (regions 1 and 3) are equal and they are Z times higher than
the SDD for middle region (region 2). The SDDs of all three regions
Fig. 5. The designed system for contaminating the studied insulator. were obtained by determining the SDD and Z values using the Eqs.
(1) and (2). Considering the SDDs of different regions, the insulator
surface was polluted using solid layer method. As an example, the
polluted un-aged insulator in the cases of uniform and longitudinal
non-uniform pollution conditions is shown in Fig. 7.

3. Test results

The LC waveforms of un-aged, 2 weeks aged, 4 weeks aged, and

6 weeks aged samples were measured under clean condition, uni-
form pollution, and longitudinal non-uniform pollution conditions.
The test samples were polluted under three levels of SDD including
0.03, 0.08 and 0.2 mg/cm2. These SDDs cover three levels of pollu-
tion including light, moderate, and heavy. Two pollution non-
region 3 region 2 region 1 uniformity degree including Z = 3 and Z = 8 were assumed in the
longitudinal non-uniform pollution. The non-uniformity of pollu-
Fig. 6. A view of different regions of studied insulator with longitudinal divisions. tion distribution was applied to the samples in the different SDD
 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862 5

levels. In addition, all of LC tests were carried out in three levels of This is one of the important features of the LC waveform under
relative humidity including 75%, 85%, and 100%. clean surface condition. While, the fifth harmonic magnitude is
In the LC tests, the nominal voltage (11.54 kV) was applied to always lower than third harmonic magnitude under polluted sur-
the test samples by the power supply. The LC was measured in face condition. The LC waveforms under SDD = 0.03 mg/cm2 and
the different humidity levels under clean condition, uniform pollu- Z = 1 (uniform pollution) are shown in Fig. 9. When the insulator
tion (Z = 1) and longitudinal non-uniform pollution (Z = 3, Z = 8) surface is lightly polluted, the conduction LC flows through the
conditions. The maximum value, first harmonic, third harmonic, wet pollution layer on the insulator surface until the heat gener-
fifth harmonic, and seventh harmonic magnitudes of LC were ated by the LC evaporate the water layers on the insulator surface
extracted from the LC waveforms so that the LC harmonics magni- and create the dry-bands. In this condition, no visible discharge is
tudes were obtained using Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) algorithm observed. The LC waveforms under SDD = 0.08 mg/cm2 (Z = 3, non-
in 5 cycles of LC signal. The results obtained are presented in uniform pollution) and SDD = 0.2 mg/cm2 (Z = 8, non-uniform pol-
Table 3. The test results represent that the humidity, SDD, Z, and lution) are depicted in Figs. 10 and 11, respectively. Further
aging are very effective on the LC characteristics. Detailed analysis increase in pollution level leads to the dry-band arcing and corona
of test results are presented in the following sections. It should be discharges occurrence, leading to distortions of the LC waveform.
noted that the LC measurements under clean condition are in When a local arcing is formed on the insulator surface due to the
microampere order and under different pollution conditions are increase in pollution severity and relative humidity, significant
in milliampere order. increase in LC magnitude is observed.
The LC waveforms of un-aged and different aged samples under
clean surface condition are shown in Fig. 8. Under clean surface
condition, the LC magnitude is very low and it has very little 4. Harmonic analysis
changes with increasing the humidity. According to Table 3, under
clean surface condition, the fifth harmonic magnitude is close to In this section, the effects of SDD, Z, humidity, and aging on the
third harmonic magnitude and in some cases is higher than that. harmonic components of LC were analyzed and discussed.

Table 3
Maximum value and harmonic components magnitudes of LC under clean condition (in lA), uniform pollution (in mA) and longitudinal non-uniform pollution (in mA)
conditions.

Sample Surface SDD Z LC Maximum Value LC 1st Harmonic LC 3rd Harmonic LC 5th Harmonic LC 7th Harmonic
State Condition (mg/cm2) (clean (lA), polluted (clean (lA), polluted (clean (lA), polluted (clean (lA), polluted (clean (lA), polluted
(mA)) in humidity: (mA)) in humidity: (mA)) in humidity: (mA)) in humidity: (mA)) in humidity:
75% 85% 100% 75% 85% 100% 75% 85% 100% 75% 85% 100% 75 % 85 % 100
%
Un-aged Clean — – 7.94 8.17 8.05 6.38 6.48 6.59 1.04 1.08 0.92 0.85 0.79 1.06 0.18 0.16 0.21
Polluted 0.03 1 0.136 0.382 0.472 0.131 0.266 0.302 0.017 0.055 0.052 0.010 0.009 0.011 0.001 0.005 0.007
3 0.095 0.203 0.334 0.087 0.155 0.246 0.013 0.026 0.035 0.007 0.004 0.010 0.001 0.004 0.005
8 0.088 0.179 0.350 0.084 0.141 0.229 0.008 0.023 0.030 0.005 0.004 0.008 0.001 0.003 0.003
0.08 1 1.06 1.19 1.25 0.72 0.77 0.85 0.18 0.20 0.21 0.05 0.07 0.09 0.03 0.06 0.07
3 1.13 1.18 1.22 0.69 0.78 0.85 0.17 0.18 0.22 0.05 0.06 0.08 0.04 0.05 0.07
8 0.89 1.03 1.14 0.63 0.70 0.79 0.15 0.16 0.19 0.03 0.05 0.05 0.03 0.03 0.04
0.2 1 2.61 8.20 8.52 1.58 1.35 2.07 0.33 0.43 0.74 0.10 0.07 0.18 0.12 0.11 0.15
3 2.46 8.34 7.78 1.53 1.38 1.96 0.29 0.32 0.61 0.08 0.07 0.15 0.12 0.13 0.14
8 2.40 7.19 8.00 1.49 1.26 1.99 0.32 0.31 0.75 0.09 0.05 0.19 0.11 0.10 0.12
2 weeks Clean — – 7.73 7.76 7.90 6.44 6.47 6.46 1.08 0.88 0.97 0.90 0.91 0.80 0.23 0.18 0.21
aged Polluted 0.03 1 0.129 0.391 0.498 0.126 0.240 0.329 0.015 0.045 0.067 0.010 0.007 0.011 0.001 0.006 0.008
3 0.117 0.238 0.415 0.112 0.168 0.284 0.012 0.028 0.049 0.008 0.006 0.010 0.001 0.004 0.007
8 0.097 0.223 0.376 0.094 0.143 0.217 0.012 0.024 0.037 0.006 0.006 0.007 0.001 0.004 0.005
0.08 1 1.14 1.33 1.37 0.75 0.92 0.91 0.14 0.18 0.18 0.07 0.06 0.08 0.05 0.07 0.06
3 1.11 1.20 1.34 0.68 0.83 0.84 0.14 0.17 0.15 0.06 0.07 0.07 0.04 0.03 0.05
8 0.97 1.11 1.16 0.66 0.81 0.83 0.11 0.16 0.16 0.04 0.05 0.06 0.04 0.03 0.04
0.2 1 2.65 8.24 8.73 1.81 1.67 2.12 0.32 0.59 0.78 0.09 0.08 0.15 0.12 0.10 0.13
3 2.53 7.67 8.09 1.72 1.64 2.06 0.34 0.48 0.73 0.05 0.09 0.12 0.09 0.09 0.11
8 2.36 9.21 9.57 1.66 1.58 2.05 0.35 0.51 0.72 0.06 0.08 0.10 0.10 0.06 0.14
4 weeks Clean — – 7.89 8.04 8.11 6.21 6.64 6.75 0.83 0.86 0.99 1.20 0.85 1.06 0.24 0.16 0.20
aged Polluted 0.03 1 0.206 0.422 0.535 0.202 0.281 0.325 0.024 0.047 0.068 0.014 0.010 0.014 0.001 0.008 0.010
3 0.155 0.284 0.478 0.148 0.205 0.303 0.017 0.029 0.045 0.012 0.011 0.013 0.002 0.005 0.008
8 0.131 0.272 0.430 0.126 0.187 0.256 0.014 0.022 0.040 0.009 0.010 0.013 0.001 0.003 0.004
0.08 1 1.29 1.50 1.63 0.78 0.99 1.02 0.16 0.20 0.19 0.05 0.07 0.08 0.03 0.05 0.06
3 1.22 1.37 1.55 0.77 0.93 0.83 0.15 0.18 0.19 0.05 0.08 0.07 0.04 0.04 0.06
8 0.98 1.29 1.36 0.69 0.87 0.89 0.12 0.17 0.18 0.04 0.06 0.06 0.03 0.03 0.05
0.2 1 2.86 8.47 9.22 2.03 1.97 2.15 0.40 0.55 0.92 0.10 0.06 0.07 0.13 0.10 0.14
3 2.67 6.91 7.63 1.88 1.90 2.18 0.37 0.45 0.84 0.08 0.05 0.05 0.11 0.09 0.12
8 2.54 5.28 7.20 1.81 1.77 2.06 0.36 0.39 0.52 0.09 0.03 0.06 0.11 0.07 0.13
6 weeks Clean — – 8.15 8.09 8.36 6.80 6.57 7.31 1.00 0.83 0.79 0.89 0.92 0.71 0.17 0.15 0.15
aged Polluted 0.03 1 0.313 0.557 0.632 0.308 0.384 0.467 0.043 0.071 0.079 0.021 0.009 0.021 0.002 0.007 0.013
3 0.266 0.415 0.549 0.262 0.296 0.372 0.031 0.055 0.058 0.016 0.010 0.017 0.002 0.006 0.010
8 0.247 0.369 0.512 0.241 0.245 0.288 0.025 0.032 0.046 0.015 0.008 0.015 0.002 0.005 0.009
0.08 1 1.59 1.74 1.92 1.03 1.06 1.08 0.22 0.23 0.25 0.10 0.10 0.12 0.05 0.06 0.08
3 1.45 1.81 1.79 1.00 0.91 1.03 0.21 0.19 0.19 0.09 0.07 0.10 0.05 0.04 0.04
8 1.27 1.64 1.70 0.94 0.97 1.03 0.18 0.17 0.24 0.06 0.07 0.09 0.04 0.03 0.04
0.2 1 2.93 8.85 9.76 2.27 2.14 2.39 0.54 0.63 0.96 0.13 0.12 0.21 0.15 0.10 0.16
3 2.95 9.30 8.91 1.93 2.01 2.25 0.41 0.69 0.80 0.11 0.09 0.17 0.13 0.10 0.08
8 2.89 7.93 9.68 1.52 1.79 2.31 0.33 0.52 0.91 0.08 0.04 0.24 0.09 0.09 0.12
6 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862

10 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100% 10 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100%

Leakage Current ( A)
Leakage Current ( A)

5 5

0 0

-5 -5

-10 -10
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Time (s) Time (s)
(a) (b)

10 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100% 10 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100%
Leakage Current ( A)

Leakage Current ( A)
5 5

0 0

-5 -5

-10 -10
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Time (s) Time (s)
(c) (d)
Fig. 8. LC waveforms under clean condition and different humidity levels, a) un-aged sample, b) 2 weeks aged sample, c) 4 weeks aged sample, d) 6 weeks aged sample.

1 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100% 1 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100%
Leakage Current (mA)
Leakage Current (mA)

0.5 0.5

0 0

-0.5 -0.5

-1 -1
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Time (s) Time (s)
(a) (b)

1 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100% 1 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100%
Leakage Current (mA)

Leakage Current (mA)

0.5 0.5

0 0

-0.5 -0.5

-1 -1
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Time (s) Time (s)
(c) (d)
2
Fig. 9. LC waveforms under SDD = 0.03 mg/cm , Z = 1 (uniform pollution) and different humidity levels, a) un-aged sample, b) 2 weeks aged sample, c) 4 weeks aged sample,
d) 6 weeks aged sample.

4.1. Effect of SDD on the LC It can be seen that first harmonic, third harmonic, fifth harmonic
and seventh harmonic magnitudes increase with increment of
Based on the experimental results in Table 3, the harmonic SDD for different samples. According to test results for 6 weeks
components magnitudes increase with increasing the SDD for all aged sample, when SDD increases from 0.03 to 0.08 and 0.2
the un-aged and aged samples under uniform and non-uniform mg/cm2, the corresponding first harmonic magnitude increases
pollution conditions. For example, the relation between harmonic from 0.467 to 1.08 and 2.39 mA, the third harmonic magnitude
components and SDD under uniform pollution and humidity increases from 0.079 to 0.25 and 0.96 mA, the fifth harmonic mag-
100% for un-aged and different aged samples is shown in Fig. 12. nitude increases from 0.021 to 0.12 and 0.21 mA and the seventh
 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862 7

2 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100% 2 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100%
Leakage Current (mA)

Leakage Current (mA)

1 1

0 0

-1 -1

-2 -2
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Time (s) Time (s)
(a) (b)
2 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100% 2 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100%
Leakage Current (mA)

Leakage Current (mA)

1 1

0 0

-1 -1

-2 -2
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Time (s) Time (s)
(c) (d)
Fig. 10. LC waveforms under SDD = 0.08 mg/cm2, Z = 3 (non-uniform pollution) and different humidity levels, a) un-aged sample, b) 2 weeks aged sample, c) 4 weeks aged
sample, d) 6 weeks aged sample.

10 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100% 10 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100%
Leakage Current (mA)
Leakage Current (mA)

5 5

0 0

-5 -5

-10 -10
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Time (s) Time (s)
(a) (b)

10 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100% 10 Humidity 75% Humidity 85% Humidity 100%
Leakage Current (mA)
Leakage Current (mA)

5 5

0 0

-5 -5

-10 -10
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Time (s) Time (s)
(c) (d)
Fig. 11. LC waveforms under SDD = 0.2 mg/cm2, Z = 8 (non-uniform pollution) and different humidity levels, a) un-aged sample, b) 2 weeks aged sample, c) 4 weeks aged
sample, d) 6 weeks aged sample.

harmonic magnitude increases from 0.013 to 0.08 and 0.16 mA, all of the samples, the LC magnitude decreases with increasing
respectively. Increment of SDD leads to the increase of electrical the Z. From the experimental observations, the relation between
conductivity of insulator surface and LC magnitude. LC harmonic components and Z under humidity 85% for 6 weeks
aged sample is shown in Fig. 13. It is observed that the LC harmonics
4.2. Effect of Z on the LC magnitudes decrease with increasing the pollution non-uniformity
degree (Z) under different SDDs. According to experimental tests for
The experimental results indicate that the non-uniformity of 6 weeks aged sample, under SDD = 0.2 mg/cm2 and humidity 85%,
pollution distribution has a great impact on the LC magnitude. For the first harmonic magnitude decreases by about 6% and 16.3%,
8 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862

Third Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

First Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

3 1
un-aged, measured un-aged, measured
2.5 0.8
un-aged, fitted un-aged, fitted
2 2 weeks aged, measured 2 weeks aged, measured
0.6
2 weeks aged, fitted 2 weeks aged, fitted
1.5
4 weeks aged, measured 4 weeks aged, measured
0.4
1 4 weeks aged, fitted 4 weeks aged, fitted
6 weeks aged, measured 0.2 6 weeks aged, measured
0.5
6 weeks aged, fitted 6 weeks aged, fitted
0 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
2
SDD (mg/cm ) SDD (mg/cm2)

(a) (b)

Seventh Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

Fifth Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

0.25 0.2

un-aged, measured un-aged, measured

0.2 0.15
un-aged, fitted un-aged, fitted
2 weeks aged, measured 2 weeks aged, measured
0.15
2 weeks aged, fitted 2 weeks aged, fitted
0.1
4 weeks aged, measured 4 weeks aged, measured
0.1 4 weeks aged, fitted 4 weeks aged, fitted
6 weeks aged, measured 0.05 6 weeks aged, measured
0.05 6 weeks aged, fitted 6 weeks aged, fitted

0 0
0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2 0 0.05 0.1 0.15 0.2
SDD (mg/cm2) SDD (mg/cm2)

(c) (d)

Fig. 12. Relation between Harmonic components and Z under humidity 85% for 6 weeks aged sample, a) first harmonic, b) third harmonic, c) fifth harmonic, d) seventh
harmonic.
Third Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

0.8
First Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

2.5

2 2
SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, measured 0.6 SDD=0.03 mg/cm , measured
2
SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, fitted SDD=0.03 mg/cm , fitted
1.5 2
SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, measured 0.4
SDD=0.08 mg/cm , measured
2 2
SDD=0.08 mg/cm , fitted SDD=0.08 mg/cm , fitted
1 2
SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, measured SDD=0.2 mg/cm , measured
0.2
0.5 SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, fitted SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, fitted

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Z Z

(a) (b)
Seventh Harmonic Magnitude (mA)
Fifth Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

0.12 0.12

0.1 2
SDD=0.03 mg/cm , measured 0.1 2
SDD=0.03 mg/cm , measured
0.08 SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, fitted 0.08 2
SDD=0.03 mg/cm , fitted
SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, measured 2
0.06 SDD=0.08 mg/cm , measured
SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, fitted 0.06 2
SDD=0.08 mg/cm , fitted
0.04 SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, measured 0.04 2
SDD=0.2 mg/cm , measured
SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, fitted 2
SDD=0.2 mg/cm , fitted
0.02 0.02

0 0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
Z Z
(c) (d)
Fig. 13. Relation between Harmonic components and Z under humidity 85% for 6 weeks aged sample, a) first harmonic, b) third harmonic, c) fifth harmonic, d) seventh
harmonic.

when Z increases from 1 to 3 and 8, respectively. For another exam- along the insulator surface under longitudinal non-uniform pollu-
ple, under SDD = 0.08 mg/cm2 and humidity 100% for 2 weeks aged tion compared to uniform pollution.
sample, the first harmonic magnitude decreases by about 7.7% and
8.8%, when Z increases from 1 to 3 and 8, respectively. The LC flow 4.3. Effect of humidity on the LC
path is not monotonous on the insulator surface under longitudinal
non-uniform pollution, because the electrical conductivity of the The test results indicate that the humidity is effective on the
middle region is less than the high voltage and ground electrodes LC magnitude. Fig. 14 shows the relation between harmonic
regions. Therefore, the LC can hardly flow through a leakage path components magnitude and humidity under Z = 3 for un-aged
 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862 9

Third Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

2 0.8
First Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

1.5 SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, measured 0.6 SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, measured

2
SDD=0.03 mg/cm , fitted SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, fitted
SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, measured SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, measured
1 0.4
SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, fitted SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, fitted
SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, measured SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, measured
0.5 0.2
SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, fitted SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, fitted

0 0
75 80 85 90 95 100 75 80 85 90 95 100
Humidity (%) Humidity (%)
(a) (b)

Seventh Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

Fifth Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

0.2 0.2

0.15 SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, measured SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, measured

0.15
SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, fitted SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, fitted
SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, measured SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, measured
0.1 0.1
SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, fitted SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, fitted
SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, measured SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, measured
0.05
SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, fitted 0.05
SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, fitted

0 0
75 80 85 90 95 100 75 80 85 90 95 100
Humidity (%) Humidity (%)
(c) (d)
Fig. 14. Relation between Harmonic components and humidity under Z = 3 for un-aged sample, a) first harmonic, b) third harmonic, c) fifth harmonic, d) seventh harmonic.
Third Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

2.5 1
First Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

2 0.8 SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, measured

SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, measured
2
SDD=0.03 mg/cm , fitted SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, fitted
1.5 0.6 2
2 SDD=0.08 mg/cm , measured
SDD=0.08 mg/cm , measured
2
SDD=0.08 mg/cm , fitted SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, fitted
1 0.4
SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, measured SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, measured
2
2
SDD=0.2 mg/cm , fitted 0.2 SDD=0.2 mg/cm , fitted
0.5

0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Number of weeks aged Number of weeks aged
(a) (b)
Seventh Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

0.2
Fifth Harmonic Magnitude (mA)

0.25

0.2 SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, measured

SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, measured 0.15
2
SDD=0.03 mg/cm , fitted SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, fitted
0.15 2
SDD=0.08 mg/cm , measured SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, measured
0.1
SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, fitted SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, fitted
0.1
2
SDD=0.2 mg/cm , measured SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, measured
0.05
0.05 SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, fitted SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, fitted

0 0
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Number of weeks aged Number of weeks aged
(c) (d)
Fig. 15. Relation between Harmonic components and aging time under Z = 8 and humidity 100%, a) first harmonic, b) third harmonic, c) fifth harmonic, d) seventh harmonic.

sample. It can be seen that first harmonic, third harmonic, fifth har- harmonic components magnitude under clean surface condition
monic, and seventh harmonic magnitudes increase with increasing compared to polluted surface condition.
the humidity. As an example for un-aged sample, under
SDD = 0.08 mg/cm2 and Z = 3, the first harmonic increases by 13% 4.4. Effect of aging on the LC
and 23.2% , the third harmonic increases by 5.9% and 29.4%, the
fifth harmonic increases by 20% and 60% and the seventh harmonic The experimental results demonstrate that the LC harmonics
increases by 25% and 75%, when the relative humidity increases magnitudes increase with increasing the aging time. The aging
from 75% to 85% and 100%, respectively. The experimental results process of the SiR insulator reduces gradually the surface
indicate that the increase of humidity has lowest effect on the hydrophobicity and the aged SiR surface absorbs higher amount
10 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862

of water compared to un-aged sample. In other words, the adher- current waveform under polluted and humid environmental condi-
ence of water droplets on the aged sample surface is higher than tions. To date, there has not been a comprehensive study on the


the un-aged sample surface. It means that the surface conductivity hIV under non-uniform pollution and different SDDs with regard
and the LC magnitude increase in the aged sample. to the effects of aging and humidity. In this study, the phase angle


The relation between harmonic components and aging time difference between LC and applied voltage (hIV ) at fundamental
(number of weeks aged) under Z = 8 and humidity 100% is shown frequency (50 Hz) was evaluated using FFT spectral analysis in 5
in Fig. 15, so that the number of weeks aged equal to zero repre-

cycles of LC signal. The hIV for all of the samples under clean con-
sents the un-aged sample. It is observed that the harmonic compo-
dition, uniform pollution (Z = 1), and longitudinal non-uniform
nents magnitudes increase with increasing the aging time. For
pollution (Z = 3, Z = 8) is given in Table 4. For example, the LC
example, under SDD = 0.08 mg/cm2, Z = 8 and humidity 100%,
and applied voltage waveforms under clean and polluted surface
when the number of weeks aged increases from 0 to 2, 4 and 6,
conditions for 6 weeks aged sample are shown in Fig. 16.
the first harmonic magnitude increases from 0.79 to 0.83, 0.89
During the clean surface condition, the leakage current shows a
and 1.03 mA, respectively. It means that the first harmonic magni-
high impedance resistive-capacitive network behavior, so that the
tude increases by 5.1%, 12.6% and 30.4% when number of weeks
leakage current leads the applied voltage by an angle between 54.3
aged increases from 0 to 2, 4 and 6, respectively.
and 60.4 degrees as given in Table 4. When the insulator is lightly


polluted (SDD = 0.03 mg/cm2), the hIV ranges from 20.1 to 32.5
5. Phase angle analysis degrees under different humidity levels for all of samples with a
considerable increase in LC magnitude compared to clean surface
The phase angle difference between LC and applied voltage condition. This clearly shows that the surface resistance reduces


(hIV ) is one of the best parameters for analyzing the leakage during polluted surface conditions and resistive current increases.

Table 4


Phase angle difference between LC and applied voltage (hIV ) at the fundamental frequency under clean and polluted surface conditions.

Surface condition SDD (mg/cm2) Z Un-aged Sample 2 Weeks aged Sample 4 Weeks aged Sample 6 Weeks aged Sample





hIV in humidity: hIV in humidity: hIV in humidity: hIV in humidity:

75% 85% 100% 75% 85% 100% 75% 85% 100% 75% 85% 100%













Clean — — 57:2 58:7 55:6 60:4 59:5 57:3 58:8 56 55:2 57:1 57:5 54:3













Polluted 0.03 1 31:4 29:2 24:8 30:7 27:2 20:5 27:1 25:6 21:3 25:4 24:8 20:6













3 32:1 28 23:6 32:5 26:5 25:1 29:3 26:9 20:1 28:7 22:1 21:3













8 30:2 26:9 24 29:4 26:3 22:6 27:5 24:8 21:8 28:2 24:6 21:7













0.08 1 11:8 10:3 8:6 10:4 9:6 7:8 8:7 8:8 8:2 9:1 7:5 7:9













3 10:1 8:9 9:5 9:7 8:1 8:5 10 8:9 8:6 10:2 9:6 8:4













8 11:5 9:9 9:4 10:1 8:7 8:4 9:8 9:3 8:5 9:5 8 8:3













0.2 1 1:2 0:7 0:2 1:8 1 0:5 1:3 1:6 0:3 0:6 1:3 0:8













3 1:9 2:1 0:5 1:1 0:9 0:7 2 0:4 0:8 1 1:3 0:7













8 2:3 1:5 1:9 1:5 1 0:6 1:8 1:4 1:7 0:9 1:6 1:2

0.01 20 0.8 20
0.6 15
Leakage Current (mA)
Leakage Current (mA)

Applied Voltage (kV)

Applied Voltage (kV)

0.005 10 0.4 10
Applied Voltage 0.2 5 Applied Voltage
LC, humidity 100% LC, humidity 100%
0 0 0 0
LC, humidity 85% LC, humidity 85%
LC, humidity 75% -0.2 -5 LC, humidity 75%
-0.005 -10 -0.4 -10
-0.6 -15
-0.01 -20 -0.8 -20
0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Time (s) Time (s)
(a) (b)
2 20 10 20
Leakage Current (mA)

Applied Voltage (kV)

Leakage Current (mA)

Applied Voltage (kV)

1 10 5 10
Applied Voltage LC, humidity 100%
LC, humidity 100% LC, humidity 85%
0 0 0 0
LC, humidity 85% LC, humidity 75%
LC, humidity 75% Applied Voltage
-1 -10 -5 -10

-2 -20 -10 -20

0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1 0 0.02 0.04 0.06 0.08 0.1
Time (s) Time (s)
(c) (d)
Fig. 16. Applied voltage and leakage current waveforms under clean and polluted surface conditions for 6 weeks aged sample, a) clean condition, b) SDD = 0.03 mg/cm2, Z = 1,
c) SDD = 0.08 mg/cm2, Z = 1, d) SDD = 0.2 mg/cm2, Z = 1.
 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862 11

Under SDD = 0.08 mg/cm2, the hIV values become as low as 7.5 to The exponent of SDD in the Eqs. (4)–(7) is always negative
11.8 degrees. This indicates that under moderate pollution condi- under different humidity levels for all of the samples. It means that


tion, the equivalent circuit of the insulator behaves like a high the hIV decreases significantly with the increasing of SDD. Further-
resistive-low capacitive network. The experimental results indi- more, the exponent of Z in some cases is negative and in some
cate that the resistive LC completely dominates during heavy pol- cases is positive, so that its absolute value is considerably lower


lution condition (SDD = 0.2 mg/cm2) and the hIV is less than 2.3 than that of SDD. It demonstrates that the SDD has very high effect


degrees under different humidity levels for all of the samples. on the hIV compared to Z. From the experimental results, it con-
According to the results obtained in Table 4, an iterative least cludes that the non-uniformity of pollution distribution has very



squares fitting model of the hIV in terms of SDD (mg/cm2) and Z little effect on the hIV .
is proposed as follows: The fitted curves corresponding to Eqs. (4) to (7) are depicted in



Fig. 17. The results show that for all of the samples, the hIV
hIV ¼ a  SDDb  Z c ð3Þ

decreases significantly with increasing the SDD, so that the hIV
where a, b, and c are constants. The fitting model results under dif- is about zero under SDD = 0.2 mg/cm2. As an example for the un-
ferent humidity levels for un-aged, 2 weeks aged, 4 weeks aged, and aged sample, under Z = 1 and humidity 85%, with increasing the


6 weeks aged samples are given in Eqs. (4), (5), (6), and (7), respec- SDD from 0.03 to 0.08 and 0.2 mg/cm2, the hIV decreases from
tively. The all of correlation coefficient values of the fitting model 29.2 to 10.3 and 0.7 degrees. For another example, under Z = 8
results are higher than 0.96.

and humidity 100%, the hIV for 4 weeks aged sample varies from
8 1:164
>
< 0:539  SDD  Z 0:015 ; humidity 75% 21.8 to 8.5 and 1.7 degrees, when the SDD increases from 0.03 to


0.08 and 0.2 mg/cm2, respectively. With increasing the SDD, the
hIV ¼ 0:443  SDD1:195  Z 0:036 ; humidity 85% ð4Þ
>
: electrical conductivity of insulator surface increases and the leak-
0:436  SDD1:149  Z 0:006 ; humidity 100% age current waveform changes from resistive-capacitive mode to
8 1:243
resistive mode. According to Fig. 17, under certain SDD and humid-
>
< 0:404  SDD  Z 0:018 ; humidity 75%


ity, the hIV varies slightly with increasing the Z. It can be seen that
1:25
hIV ¼ 0:341  SDD  Z 0:019 ; humidity 85% ð5Þ

when the Z increases, the hIV has no a specific trend of increase or
>
:
0:330  SDD1:196  Z 0:044 ; humidity 100% decrease. As an example for 6 weeks aged sample, under
8 SDD = 0.08 mg/cm2 and humidity 75%, with increasing the Z from
1:193
>
< 0:422  SDD  Z 0:013 ; humidity 75%

1 to 3 and 8, the hIV varies from 9.1 to 10.2 and 9.5 degrees,


1:198
hIV ¼ 0:393  SDD  Z 0:010 ; humidity 85% ð6Þ respectively.
>
:

0:443  SDD1:099  Z 0:015 ; humidity 100% Fig. 18 depicts the hIV in terms of aging time and humidity
under clean and uniform pollution conditions. The results show
8 1:216


>
< 0:369  SDD  Z 0:047 ; humidity 75% that the humidity has little effect on the hIV . The hIV decreases


1:173
hIV ¼ 0:392  SDD  Z 0:002 ; humidity 85% ð7Þ slightly with increasing the humidity. The humidity has greater
>
:

0:401  SDD1:126
 Z 0:026 ; humidity 100% effect on the hIV in the light pollution condition compared to mod-
erate and heavy pollution conditions, because there is sufficient

Humidity 75%, fitted Humidity 75%, fitted

Humidity 75%, measured Humidity 75%, measured
Phase Difference (degree)

Phase Difference (degree)

40 Humidity 85%, fitted 40 Humidity 85%, fitted

Humidity 85%, measured Humidity 85%, measured
Humidity 100%, fitted Humidity 100%, fitted
20 20
Humidity 100%, measured Humidity 100%, measured

0 0
8 8
6 0.2 6 0.2
4 0.15 0.15
0.1 4 0.1
2 2
Z 0.05 SDD (mg/cm2) Z 0.05
SDD (mg/cm2)

(a) (b)

Humidity 75%, fitted

Phase Difference (degree)

Humidity 75%, fitted

Phase Difference (degree)

30 Humidity 75%, measured 30 Humidity 75%, measured

Humidity 85%, fitted Humidity 85%, fitted
20 Humidity 85%, measured 20 Humidity 85%, measured
Humidity 100%, fitted Humidity 100%, fitted
10 Humidity 100%, measured 10 Humidity 100%, measured

0 0
8 8
6 0.2 6 0.2
4 0.15 4 0.15
0.1 0.1
2 0.05 2 0.05
Z Z
SDD (mg/cm2) SDD (mg/cm2)

(c) (d)


Fig. 17. The hIV in terms of SDD and Z under different humidity levels for different samples, a) un-aged sample, b) 2 weeks aged sample, c) 4 weeks aged sample, d) 6 weeks
aged sample.
12 J. Dadashizadeh Samakosh, M. Mirzaie / Measurement 147 (2019) 106862

Clean, fitted

Phase Difference (degree)

80
Clean, measured
60
SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, fitted

40 SDD=0.03 mg/cm2, measured

SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, fitted

20
SDD=0.08 mg/cm2, measured
0 SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, fitted
6 100
4 90 95
2 80 85 SDD=0.2 mg/cm2, measured
0 75
Number of weeks aged Humidity (%)


Fig. 18. The hIV in terms of aging time and humidity under clean and uniform pollution conditions.

Table 5
Variations of LC characteristics of SiR insulator according to the increase of sensible factors.

Sensible factors LC characteristics

1st harmonic magnitude 3rd harmonic magnitude 5th harmonic magnitude 7th harmonic magnitude hIV

Increase of SDD increase increase increase increase decrease

Increase of Z decrease decrease decrease decrease negligible change
Increase of humidity increase increase increase increase decrease
Increase of aging time increase increase increase increase negligible change

electrical conductivity on the insulator surface under moderate slightly with increasing the humidity. The humidity has a greater


and heavy pollution conditions and humidity can not make a sig- effect on the hIV in the light pollution condition compared to mod-




nificant change in the hIV . As the aging time increases, the hIV erate and heavy pollution conditions. The hIV changes slightly
does not change significantly and does not indicate a particular with the increasing of aging time and it does not indicate a partic-
trend of increase or decrease. A summary of the results obtained ular trend of increase or decrease. The results show that the SDD


is listed in Table 5 that the effects of sensible parameters including has high effect on the hIV , while the Z has very little effect on it.
SDD, Z, humidity, and aging on the LC characteristics are provided.
Declaration of Competing Interest

6. Conclusion All authors have participated in (a) conception and design, or

analysis and interpretation of the data; (b) drafting the article or
The current study aimed to investigate the effects of longitudi- revising it critically for important intellectual content; and (c)
nal non-uniform pollution, pollution severity, aging and humidity approval of the final version.
on the LC characteristics of SiR insulator. This comprehensive study This manuscript has not been submitted to, nor is under review
on the harmonic components and phase angle of LC can be used to at, another journal or other publishing venue.
assess and predict the SiR insulators operation status in the trans- The authors have no affiliation with any organization with a
mission and distribution lines under different humidity and pollu- direct or indirect financial interest in the subject matter discussed
tion conditions. in the manuscript
Under the clean surface condition, the LC magnitude is very low
and the insulator shows a high impedance resistive-capacitive net- Acknowledgment
work behavior, so that the leakage current leads the applied volt-
age by an angle between 54.3 and 60.4 degrees. When the The authors acknowledge the funding support of Babol Noshir-
insulator surface is lightly polluted, the surface resistance vani University of Technology through Grant Program No.
decreases and the resistive current increases. In addition, no visible BNUT/935120005/96.


discharge is observed and the hIV ranges from 20.1 to 32.5 degrees
under different humidity levels for all of samples. In the moderate References
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