Performance of Silicone Rubber Composite Insulators in Sri Lanka

Abstract

This paper presents the performance of silicone rubber composite insulators in Sri Lanka over ten years period. The study consisted of two phases. In the first phase (from 1995-1999), different types of composite insulators were installed in 33 kV distribution network and were tested under marine, industrial (cement dust) and clean environments. Based on the outcomes of these tests a new set of silicone rubber insulators was selected for the phase two (2001-2006) of the project under marine and clean environments. It was found that the silicone rubber insulators performed well during this period and there is a possibility for stressing such insulators higher than ordinary porcelain insulators. Further it was found that housing material composition influenced the performance of insulators stronger than the creepage distance