SAPTHAGIRI COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

PROJECT SYNOPSIS

TRACKING OF FIBREGLASS
USED IN POLYMERIC
INSULATORS

By,

1. Manjula Allagi - 1SG07EE022

2. Preethi S Kumar - 1SG07EE029
3. Rashmi S Shetty - 1SG07EE035
4. Riddhi Shah - 1SG07EE039

Project head: Dr.KN.Ravi - H.O.D (EEE)

 TRACKING OF FIBREGLASS USED IN POLYMERIC
INSULATORS
Introduction: Insulation is a main subject in high voltage engineering. It plays an
important role in maintaining the performance and the safety of the electrical power
apparatus. Electric power supply should ensure reliability and continuity to the utility
concerned, hence the power lines and sub-stations are to be operated and protected
against over voltages such that the numbers of failures are as few as possible. At the
same time, the cost involved in the design, installation and operation of the protective
devices should not be too high. Insulators not only must have sufficient mechanical
strength to support the physical loads, but must be so designed to withstand severe
electrical stresses.

Types of insulator:

1) Ceramic insulators:
 These insulators include porcelain or glass insulators.
 Pollution performance not as good as polymeric.
 Ageing property is good.
 Large, bulky and heavier than polymeric insulators.
 Easily broken in handling and by Vandalism.
 Hydrophilic- water forms a layer on the surface, which is the cause for flash-over.
 RTV coatings used for station insulator.

2) Non ceramic insulators:

 These insulators include polymeric insulators.
 Pollution performance is very good.
 Ageing property is to be ascertained.
 90% weight reduction.
 Reduced breakage.
 Lower installation costs.
 Aesthetically more pleasing.
 Improved resistance to vandalism.
 Improved handling of shock loads.

Objective:
  To test the tracking and ageing properties of the fibreglass rod present inside the
polymeric insulator.
 Insulator should withstand ambient conditions when placed in field in case the
outer polymer shield is eroded or ruptured due to ambient atmospheric
conditions.

Fibreglass: Polymeric insulator consists of glass fibre reinforced plastic rod (FRP rod) in
a shedded housing made of polymeric material and the metal end fittings attached to
the end of FRP rod. The fiberglass rod is mechanically very strong where as electrically
weak. Tracks are formed on the surface of the fiberglass if directly subjected to ambient
atmospheric conditions. Hence the aging properties of fiberglass material are to be
improved.

Tracking: Tracking is an irreversible deterioration by the formation of paths on the

surface of insulating materials due to high electrical stress. It is developed on the
electrical surface under wet and contaminated conditions. A permanent path of current
is formed on the surface if the insulator leading to the failure of the insulator.