Structural optimization of grading rings on composite insulators on 500‐kV compact transmission lines

Abstract Serious corona discharges occur on some grading rings of 500‐kV compact transmission lines in China owing to defects in the structural design. The noise of the corona is heard clearly even 50 m away from the tower. In order to solve this problem, we have optimized the structure of the grading rings to suppress the corona. In this study, the grading rings that had serious corona discharges were identified and observed with an ultraviolet imager (UVI), and the electric field (E‐field) distributions of the grading rings were calculated by means of the three‐dimensional finite element method. Based on an analysis of the areas on the grading ring where excessive high E‐field magnitudes were observed, we optimized the structures of the grading rings to improve the field distributions on their surfaces. Based on the optimization suggestions, new grading rings were manufactured to replace the old ones. UVI observations showed that the new grading rings could effectively prevent the occurrence of corona discharge. © 2014 Institute of Electrical Engineers of Japan. Published by John Wiley & Sons, Inc.