Estimation of Arc Parameters for Pollution Flashover of High Voltage

La b o ra to ire D'é tud e e t Dé ve lo p p e me nt

d e s Ma té ria ux Se mico nd ucte urs e t Dié le ctriq ue s
Insulators Using Genetic Algorithms

B. Zegnini1 , M. Belkheiri1, A. Smaili2, and D. Mahi1

1- Laboratoire d’études et Développement des Matériaux Semi-conducteurs et Diélectriques, LeDMaScD, Université Amar Telidji de
Laghouat, BP 37G route de Ghardaïa, Laghouat 03000, Algérie
2- Laboratoire de Haute Tension, Université Ibn Khaldoun de Tiaret, BP 78 route de Zaaroura, Tiaret 14000, Algérie
b.zegnini@mail.lagh-univ.dz , m.belkheiiri@mail.lagh-univ.dz , smaili_at@yahoo.fr , d.mahi@mail.lagh-univ.dz

1 Abstract 4 Results
This work attempts to apply Genetic Algorithm approach (GAs) in high voltage applications and Our Genetic Algorithm starts with a randomly generated population of 20
especially to estimate the arc parameters for polluted insulators during the pollution flashover chromosomes. It generates 20 random values for the arc constant A (0 <A < 500) and 20
mechanism, using experimental measurements carried out in an insulator test station according to random values for the arc constant n (0<n< 1). Each constant, A or n, is converted to a 16-bit
the IEC norm and a mathematical model based on the characteristics of the insulator: the diameter, binary number. 32 bits are required for the chromosome. Each pair of parents with single point
the height, the creepage distance, the form factor and the equivalent salt deposit density and crossover generates four children. The crossover begins as each chromosome of any parent is
estimates the critical flashover voltage. This GA has been developed using the software package divided into six parts, and the pair of parents interchange their genetic material. After crossover
Matlab. The results provided by the GA constitute the indispensable data that can be used in field there is a 1% probability of mutation. The procedure is terminated after 200 generations.
simulations of arc parameters for polluted insulators. Further comparative analysis of the estimated The application results in pairs of (A, n) values that finally converge to the optimum values A =
results with the measured data collected from the site measurement amply demonstrate the 177.22, n = 0.510 as the number of iterations increases.
effectiveness of the use of GAs in modeling of critical flashover voltage and leakage current against
contamination level in terms of σs the surface conductivity TABLE II - GENETIC ALGORITHMS PARAMETERS
Number
Population Number of bits per Mutation Number of
of
size chromosome Probability generations
2 Mathematical Model Ps =20 t=16
children
Nc =5 Pm =1% Nmax =200

The critical voltage Uc (in V), which is the applied voltage across the insulator when the partial arc is
developed into a complete flashover, is given by the following formula [5]:

L : the creepage distance, Dm the maximum diameter,

F is the form factor. (A and n) are the arc constants , Varc R generation
The surface conductivity σs (in Ω-1) is given by the p
following type: U
Figure 1. Equivalent circuit
where C is the equivalent salt deposit density in (mg/cm2).
The coefficient of the pollution layer resistance K in case of
cap-and-pin insulators is given by
with R, the radius of the arc foot, given
generation
by
Figure 3. Convergence of the optimum values of the
arc constants (A , n).
-4
x 10
3.6 x 104
3
T(I) Model

T(I) exp

3 Genetic Algorithms
T(II) Model

3.5 2.5
T(II) exp

T(III) Model

T(III) exp

Critical Voltage Uc (Volts)

T(VI) Model

T(VI)exp
3.4 2
We propose a methodology, which uses the developed GA for the calculation of the
cost function Fg

arc parameters for polluted insulators. The operation of GA, which has been developed, is 3.3 1.5

described in the flowchart of Figure 3.

The experimental data Uc against σp and the geometrical characteristics Dm , L , F of the 3.2 1

insulators of Table I are applied to (1), thus resulting in a set of 36 simultaneous equations
with two unknowns, the arc constants A and n 3.1 0.5

0
3
0 0.5 1 1.5 2 x 10-4
0 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 160 180 200
Surface conductivity s(W-1)
generation

Figure 4. the cost function in each generation. Figure 5. Critical voltage against the surface
TABLE I - Properties of the investigated insulators conductivity

Insulator Type (I) Type (II) Type (III) Type (VI) x 104
T(V)
T(V) Model
T(IV)
Maximum diameter 254 254 254 254 2.5 T(V) exp
T(IV) Model
2
Critical Voltage Uc (Volts)

Dm (mm) T(IV) exp

A=177.22,n=0.510
Distance between centers H 146 146 146 146 2
A=177.22, n=0.510
(mm) 1.5
I (A)

Creepage distance 431 279 279 305 1.5

L (mm)
Critical Current

Form factor F 0.916 0.684 0.680 0.696 1

1

Begin 0.5
0.5

0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
Iteration= 1 Surface conductivity s(W-1) x 10-4 0
0 0.5 1 1.5 2
x 10-4

Surface conductivity s(W-1)

Select Initial Figure 6. Critical flashover voltage against the
Figure 7. Critical flashover voltage against the
surface conductivity for type T(V) and type T(IV)
Population surface conductivity for type T(V) and type T(IV)
insulators
insulators
Evaluation

Selection

Crossover
5 Conclusion
In this paper, a Genetic Algorithm (GA) has been successfully applied for the estimation of arc
Mutation parameters for polluted insulators. The fundamental advantage of this proposed GA is the ability
to find the optimized characteristics of the discharge (A, n) developing along the insulator surface
when given some of the insulator’s geometrical types. Therefore, the determination of the arc
Yes constants permits the computation of the critical conditions for flashover which leads to better
Fg≤lim
understanding of the transient phenomena in polluted insulators. Simulation results were
obtained from experimental studies and from application of a mathematical model for the
No estimation of the flashover voltage on polluted insulators. Experimental tests on several
Next insulators types show very good agreement between the measured values and the computed.
Iteration The results prove the validity of the method proposed in the paper and can be used to eliminate
the insulator from flashover fault and in the establishment of maintenance policy and for
No addressing an effective solution against pollution flashover of high voltage insulators.
Iter>Nmax

Yes

End
Figure 2. Flowchart of Genetic Algorithm.