Degradation and Stability of Polymeric High-Voltage Insulators and Prediction of Their Service Life through Environmental and Accelerated Aging Processes

[Image: see text] Polymeric composite insulators consisting of core fiber reinforced polymer insulators covered with polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) housing are now replacing conventional ceramic insulators especially for high-outdoor power transmission lines due to some specific advantages. Unlike ceramics, polymers have relatively shorter life. Outdoor insulators experience different electrical, mechanical, chemical, and thermal stresses during service. The long-term service performance of these insulators and their service life estimation is an important issue, but it is complicated and time-consuming. The objective of the present investigation is to check the rate of property deterioration during service and to find the approximate lifetime. Working insulators with different ages were collected from service, and the changes in mechanical and electrical properties and hydrophobicity of the PDMS cover against aging time were measured. The service life estimated from the change in mechanical properties and surface hydrophobicity (using MATLAB software) was compared with the service life of a new compound subjected to accelerated aging tests. Prediction of service life is helpful for replacement of aged insulators from service to avoid interruption in power transmission.