Chapter 1
STRING EFFICIENCY AND
VOLTAGE DISTRIBUTION OF
INSULATORS
1.1 Aim
To determine string efficiency of suspension insulator with and without guard ring by
using MATLAB/Simulink.
1.2 Apparatus/Equipments/Software Required
Computer
MATLAB/Simulink
1.3 Theory
The insulators provide necessary insulation between line conductors and supports
and thus prevent any leakage current from conductors to earth. A string of suspension
insulators consists of several porcelain discs connected in series through metallic links.
The porcelain portion of each disc is in between two metal links. Therefore, each disc
forms a capacitor C, as shown in Figure 1.1a.
The value of C lies between 10 µF and 40 µF . If there were only capacitance of the disc
alone, then the charging current would have been the same through all the discs. However,
in actual practice, capacitance also exists between the metal fitting of each disc and the
tower or earth. The value of C1 lies between 1 µF and 8 µF . Due to C1 , the charging
current is not the same through all the discs of the string. Therefore, the voltage across
V1 C V1
C
C1 i1 Cg1
C1
i′1 i1 i′1
A A ′′
i2 i2 i1
C V2 C V2
C1 C1 Cg2
i′2 i′2
B B ′′
i3 i3 i2
C V3 C V3
Guard Ring
(a) Wihtout guard ring (b) With guard ring
Figure 1.1: Suspension insulator with 3 discs
each disc will be different. Obviously, the disc nearest to the line conductor will have
the maximum voltage. The unit nearest to the conductor is under maximum electrical
stress and is likely to be punctured. This unequal potential distribution is undesirable
and is usually expressed in terms of string efficiency. The voltage ratio across the whole
string to the product of the number of discs and the voltage across the disc nearest to the
conductor is known as string efficiency.
Voltage across the string
String efficiency =
n × Voltage across disc nearest to conductor
where n is the number of discs in the string.
The greater the string efficiency, the more uniform the voltage distribution.Thus
100% string efficiency is an ideal case for which the voltage across each disc will be exactly
the same. Although it is impossible to achieve 100% string efficiency, efforts should be
made to improve it as close to this value as possible. The string efficiency can be improved
by reducing the value of k, where k = CC1 . As the value of k approaches to zero, the string
efficiency approaches to 100%.
2
1.3.1 Improving string efficiency by using a guard ring
The potential across each unit in a string can be equalized by using a guard ring,
which is a metal ring electrically connected to the conductor and surrounding the bottom
insulator as shown in the Figure 1.1b. The guard ring introduces capacitance between
metal fittings and the line conductor. The result is that the same charging current flows
through each unit of string. Consequently, there will be uniform potential distribution
across the units. The value of guard ring capacitance is obtained by
mC1
Cgm = (1.1)
n−m
where m = 1, 2, ...
1.4 Theoretical Calculations
Problem Statement:
Each conductor of a 33 kV, 50 Hz, three-phase system is suspended by a string of
three similar insulators. Assume C = 10µF and k = 0.11.Therefore, C1 = 0.11 µF (i.e,
k = 0.11). . Calculate the voltage across each insulator. Futher, determine the string
efficiency.
1.4.1 Without guard ring
The line voltage is VL = 33 kV . Therefore, the phase voltage is
VL 33 kV
V =√ = √ (1.2)
3 3
For the three disc suspension insulator,
V = V1 + V2 + V3
At node A, we have
i2 = i1 + i′1
j ω C V2 = j ω C V1 + j ω C1 V1
We have C1 = k C, therefore
C V 2 = C V 1 + k C V1
V2 = (1 + k) V1
3
At node B, we have
i3 = i2 + i′2
j ω C V3 = j ω C V2 + j ω C1 (V1 + V2 )
C V3 = C V2 + k C (V1 + V2 )
Knowing that V2 = (1 + k) V1
V3 = (1 + k) V1 + k (V1 + (1 + k) V1 )
V3 = (1 + k) V1 + k (V1 + (1 + k) V1 )
V3 = [(1 + k)2 + k] V1
Substituting for the values of V2 and V3 , we get
V1 + (1 + k) V1 + ((1 + k)2 + k) V1 = V
V1 (1 + k)(3 + k) = V
V
V1 =
(1 + k)(3 + k)
For the values of k and V , we have
V
Voltage across top unit, V1 =
(1 + k)(3 + k)
√
33/ 3
V1 =
(1 + 0.11) (3 + 0.11)
V1 = 5.5116 kV
Voltage across middle unit, V2 = V1 (1 + k)
V2 = (1 + 0.11) (5.5116) = 6.124 kV
Voltage across bottom unit, V3 = V1 × [(1 + k)2 + k]
V3 = (1 + 0.11)2 + 0.11 (5.5116) = 7.4169 kV
√
V 33/ 3
String Efficiency = = ≈ 0.8563 = 85.63%
n × V3 3 × 7.4169
1.4.2 With guard ring
′
Assume Cg1 = Cg2 = C1 = 0.05C.
4
C1′
k′ = = 0.05
C
The line voltage is VL = 33 kV . Therefore, the phase voltage is
VL 33 kV
V =√ = √ (1.3)
3 3
For the three disc suspension insulator,
V = V1 + V2 + V3 (1.4)
At node A, we have
′′
i2 + i1 = i1 + i′1
j ω C V2 + j ω C1′ (V2 + V3 ) = j ω C V1 + j ω C1 V1
We have C1 = k C, and C1′ = k ′ C therefore
C V2 + k ′ C(V2 + V3 ) = C V1 + k C V1
(1 + k ′ ) V2 + k ′ V3 = (1 + k) V1
(1 + k) V1 − (1 + k ′ ) V2 + k ′ V3 = 0 (1.5)
At node B, we have
′′
i3 + i2 = i2 + i′2
j ω C V3 + j ω C1′ V3 = j ω C V2 + j ω C1 (V1 + V2 )
C V3 + k ′ C V3 = C V2 + k C (V1 + V2 )
(1 + k ′ ) V3 = k V1 + (1 + k) V2
k V1 + (1 + k) V2 − (1 + k ′ ) V3 = 0 (1.6)
For the values of k, k ′ and V , we have
33 × 103
V1 + V2 + V3 = √
3
(1.7)
1.11 V1 − 1.05 V2 − 0.05 V3 = 0
0.11 V1 + 1.11 V2 − 1.05 V3 = 0
5
Solving the above set of equations, we get
V1 = 6.019 kV
V2 = 6.0293 kV
V3 = 7.0044 kV
√
V 33/ 3
String Efficiency = = ≈ 0.9067 = 90.67%
n × V3 3 × 7.0044
NOTE: If the values for Cg1 and Cg2 are used as obtained from equation 1.1, then
1 C1 kC k
Cg1 = C1 = = = C
3−1 2 2 2
2
Cg2 = C1 = 2 C1 = 2 (kC) = 2k C
3−2
Using the above values, forming the system equations and solving, we get
V
V1 = V2 = V3 = 6.3509 kV ≈
3
√
V 33/ 3
String Efficiency = = ≈ 0.9999 ≈ 100%
n × V3 3 × 6.3509
1.4.3 Simulink Implementation Diagram
1.4.4 Without guard ring
Figure 1.2: Without guard ring
6
1.4.5 With guard ring
Figure 1.3: With guard ring
1.5 Simulation Results
For all the case studies discussed below, we assume C = 10 µF and Cg1 = Cg2 = 0.05 × C
= 0.5 µF
1.5.1 String efficiency without guard ring (with k = 0.11 and
variation of VL )
Here, the value of k is chosen as 0.11 and is kept constant. The voltage VL is varied and
the string efficiency is noted down for each of the cases.
Table 1.5.1: String efficiency without guard ring (with k = 0.11 and variation of VL )
VL (kV ) V1 (kV ) V2 (kV ) V3 (kV ) String efficiency(%)
31 5.18 5.76 6.96 85.74
32 5.35 5.94 7.18 85.74
33 5.52 6.13 7.41 85.74
34 5.69 6.31 7.63 85.74
35 5.85 6.5 7.86 85.74
7
1.5.2 String efficiency with guard ring (with k = 0.11 and varia-
tion of VL )
Here, the value of k is chosen as 0.11 and is kept constant. The voltage VL is varied and
the string efficiency is noted down for each of the cases.
Table 1.5.2: String efficiency with guard ring (with k = 0.11 and variation of VL )
VL (kV ) V1 (kV ) V2 (kV ) V3 (kV ) String efficiency(%)
31 5.65 5.66 6.58 90.67
32 5.84 5.85 6.79 90.67
33 6.02 6.03 7 90.67
34 6.2 6.21 7.23 90.67
35 6.38 6.39 7.43 90.67
1.5.3 String efficiency without guard ring (with VL = 33 kV and
variation of k)
Here, the value of VL is chosen as 33 kV and is kept constant. Then k is varied and the
string efficiency is noted down for each of the cases.
Table 1.5.3: String efficiency without guard ring (with VL = 33 kV and variation of k)
k C1 (µF ) V1 (kV ) V2 (kV ) V3 (kV ) String efficiency(%)
0.05 0.5 5.95 6.25 6.86 92.62
0.1 1 5.59 6.15 7.32 86.77
0.15 1.5 5.26 6.05 7.75 82
0.2 2 4.96 5.95 8.14 78.05
1.5.4 String efficiency with guard ring (with VL = 33 kV and
variation of k)
Here, the value of VL is chosen as 33 kV and is kept constant. Then k is varied and the
string efficiency is noted down for each of the cases
8
Table 1.5.4: String efficiency with guard ring (with VL = 33 kV and variation of k)
k C1 (µF ) V1 (kV ) V2 (kV ) V3 (kV ) String efficiency(%)
0.05 0.5 6.45 6.15 6.45 98.41
0.1 1 6.09 6.05 6.92 91.83
0.15 1.5 5.755 5.95 7.34 86.49
0.2 2 5.45 5.86 7.74 82.07
1.5.5 Graphs
Figure 1.4 and Figure 1.5 show the string efficiency vs line voltage and string efficiency
vs k, respectively.
Figure 1.4: String efficiency vs Line voltage
9
Figure 1.5: String efficiency vs k
1.6 Conclusion
The string efficiency and voltage distribution of insulators for different system
voltages and k are calculated. For both the cases, i.e, without guard ring and with guard
ring, the graphs are plotted.
10
1.7 References
[1] C L WADHWA Electrical Power Systems Chapter 7, Page:177-180
[2] Norrawit Tonmitr, Kittipong Tonmitr, Eiji Kaneko”The Effect of Controlling Stray
and Disc Capacitance of Ceramic String Insulator in the Case of Clean and Contaminated
Conditions”. Procedia Computer Science, Volume 86, 2016, Pages 333-336,
11
