Calculation of electric field and potential distribution along nonceramic insulators considering the effects of conductors and transmission towers

Calculation of the electric field and potential distribution is extensively performed in the design and development of nonceramic insulators for high voltage transmission applications. This paper applies a two-dimensional (2-D) and a three-dimensional (3-D) electric field analysis program to calculate the field distribution of the insulators under clean and dry conditions. A three-phase 345 kV transmission tower with nonceramic suspension insulators (two I-strings and one V-string) was analyzed with each phase as an individual case. The effects of conductors, tower configurations and grading devices on the electric field and potential distribution along the insulators were investigated. The calculation results show that the factors investigated have different levels of effects on the distribution.