Influence of Green Algae on the Surface Wetting Characteristics of Porcelain Insulators

Xiaolai Li, Xiangdong Wu, Shiqiang Yang, Beichen Gao, Liang Li and Bin Cao ()
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Xiaolai Li: Ultra-High Voltage Company, State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430050, China
Xiangdong Wu: Ultra-High Voltage Company, State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430050, China
Shiqiang Yang: Ultra-High Voltage Company, State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430050, China
Beichen Gao: Ultra-High Voltage Company, State Grid Hubei Electric Power Co., Ltd., Wuhan 430050, China
Liang Li: Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China
Bin Cao: Tsinghua Shenzhen International Graduate School, Tsinghua University, Shenzhen 518055, China

Energies, 2025, vol. 18, issue 16, 1-12

Abstract: Insulator pollution flashover is a serious fault in power transmission systems, with surface wetting being a key prerequisite for its occurrence. The unique electrostatic properties of HVDC transmission networks promote pollution accumulation and alter wetting behavior. In southwest China’s warm, humid mountainous regions, algae adhesion on DC insulators significantly affects surface wetting, increasing the risk of flashover under extreme weather conditions. This study proposes a surface-conductivity–based method to measure the water absorption of pollution layers on insulators. It quantitatively assesses the impact of algae on wetting characteristics, including saturated water absorption and salt loss rate. Experimental results show that in fog, saturated water absorption decreases as the tilt angle increases, while soluble salt content decreases over wetting time. NSDD has a minimal effect on saturated absorption. Moreover, the presence of algae significantly alters wetting behavior, increasing saturated water absorption by 27–47% and reducing salt loss. These findings provide an insight into the role of biological contamination in pollution flashover processes in high-humidity regions.

Keywords: porcelain insulator; wetting characteristics; green algae contamination; flashover; water absorption capacity; surface conductivity (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q Q0 Q4 Q40 Q41 Q42 Q43 Q47 Q48 Q49 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2025
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