You are on page 1of 15

Safety and Technique of Hot Washing

Wang Ruzhang Sun Lin

Abstract

As a maintenance method hot line washing has been used widely to


prevent insulators from pollution flashover in power stations in
China. This paper presents the study results of the insulation
characteristics of the washing stream and the insulators being
washed. The minimum distance between the nozzle tip and the
energized part and the effective washing procedure which can ensure
the safety of both person and equipment during hot line washing are
recommended.

Introduction

Hot line insulator washing plays a positive role in avoiding


pollution flashover. In the past, however, the factors affecting
the safety of the washing had not been studied systematically, and
some accidents occurred during the washing.
To minimize the possibility of washing flashover of insulators,
thousands of flashover test were carried out in the last 10 years.
Two aspects of the study are : a) Basic insulation
characteristics of the water stream and minimum distance from the
nozzle tip to the energized part; b) Basic insulation
characteristics of the insulators being washed and determination of
the value of critical salt deposit density during hot line washing,
etc-
On the basis of the research achievements, the I'Regulation of Hot
Line Washing for Electric Power Apparatusg1 (national standard of
P-R.China GB13395-92) has been drafted and executed. It makes the
hot line washing set up on a safe and scientific basis. In recent
years, the application of hot line washing has extended rapidly,
and the washing flashover faults have been eliminated as far as the
regulation is followed.
0-7803-1340-2/93/$3.00Copyright 1993 I E E E

225
15-2

1. Basic insulation characteristics of the water stream


The hand-held single orifice nozzle is the most common type used
for hot line washing. With this nozzle substation insulators can be
washed by qualified workers on the ground.
In this case the insulation characteristic of the water stream is
one of the most important factors in ensuring the safety of the
washing. The study in this area has been conducted by EPRI of
China.
A series of test of switching impulse flashover characteristics
of water stream have been carried out. The test results are shown
in figs.1, 2 and 3 including the curves of relation between
distance from nozzle tip to energized part (L) and flashover
voltage of switching impulse (SI) ( U s o ) , nozzle orifice diameter
(d) and flashover voltage of switching impulse ( U s o ) , and water
resistivity ( p ) and flashover voltage of switching impulse ( U s o ) .
From these figures, it can-be seen that the SI flashover voltage
(Uso) increases as distance (L) and resistivity ( p ) increase.
Besides, the SI flashover voltage (Uso) decreases as the nozzle
orifice diameter (d) increase.

s:
-i
I200

..
U
400- -f=Haoa-cm
I
m - - - p= amon-m
O 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 6
DISTANCE, L, m

Fig.1 Relation between distance Fig.2 Relation between nozzle


from nozzle tip to energized orifice diameter & 5 0 % SI
part & 50% SI flashover voltage flashover voltage

226
15-2

-L= 5 m
--- L= 4m
U I
b6 M O I L 1 I 1

25 3 4 0 1 2 3
WATER RESISTIVITY, p , log(n.cm) DISTANCE, L, m

Fig.3 Relation between water Fig.4 Relation between distance


resistivity & 50% SI from nozzle tip to energized
flashover voltage part & 50% AC flashover voltage

a "t L=lh

Ir sola,
2 ' 2 3 4
DIAMETER, d,

Fig.5 Relation between nozzle Fig.6 Relation between water


orifice diameter & 50% resistivity & 50% AC
AC flashover voltage flashover voltage

Aseries of test of AC flashover characteristics have been


carried out also. The test results are s h o m in figs.4, 5 and 6.
The leakage current through the water stream changes with the
increase of the distance from nozzle tip to energized part, as

227
15-2

shown in fig.7. The


leakage current
decreases rapidly to a
I
stable value.
Fig.8 shows the
relation between the
nozzle orifice diameter
and the leakage current
through the water \ \
stream. The leakage
current increases
rapidly as the nozzle
o r i f ice diameter
increases. The relation
of leakage current vs
\ \ d=9.2
the water resistivity
are shown in fig.9. The I
3 4 5 6
leakage current DISTANCE, L, m
decreases as the water
resistivity increases,
but there is a saturable
Fig.7 Relation between distance from
tendency beyond a nozzle tip energized part and
certain value. leakage current

$1
c; m

0 3 4 5
WATER RESISTIVITY, P , log (n.cm)

Fig.8 Relation between Fig.9 Relation between water


nozzle orifice diameter resistivity and
and leakage current leakage current

228
15-2

2. Minimum distance from the nozzle tip to energized part


It is well known that the voltage applied to the water stream is
usually the AC operating voltage, but sometimes it may be
superimposed by a switching impulse which is caused by switching
operation in power system.
It is necessary to ensure an electrical safety distance from the
nozzle tip to the energized part during hot line washing.
Determination of the safety distance includes two factors the
leakage current flowing through the water stream and switching
.
impulse flashover voltage.
considering of the safety, the minimum distance from the tip of
nozzle to the energized part can be determined according to the
following conditions:
a) The leakage current through the water stream should be limited
within 1mA under maximum operation voltage.
The value of 1mA is the approximate perception threshold current
that a person is able to detect as a slight tingling sensation in
his hands and his fingers due to current flow. This value of
current can pass through a body with safety. All current flowing
through water stream will pass through the body of the operator
directly if the nozzle is not grounded or the nozzle grounding
braid is accidentally broken. So it is recommended that the leakage
current flowing through water stream be limited within 1mA.
From this point of view, a group of data of distance from the
nozzle tip to energized part (L,) can be obtained by changing the
nozzle orifice diameter.
b) The water stream should not flash over when the switching
overvoltage appears in the network.
According to the principle of insulation co-ordination, the
relation between the withstand voltage (U,) and the 5 0 % flashover
voltage (Uso)can be formulated as following:
U,=u.jo ( 1-30)
where: U,--withstand voltage
Ua--50% flashover voltage
a--standard deviation of test data ( 6 % )
Considering the withstand voltage of the insulators being washed

229
15-2

and the maximum amplitude of the overvoltages appearing in the


network, another group of data of distance from the nozzle tip to
energized part (b) can be obtained by changing the nozzle orifice
diameter.
The minimum distance from the nozzle tip to energized part (L) is
recommended as the longer one among L, and L, with some margin. See
table 1.
Table 1 Minimum distance from the nozzle tip to energized part

Nozzle diameter 13 4
'
8 9-12 Minimum water
orifice (mm) resistivity(n.cm)
10'63 0.8 2 4 1500
Rated 110 1.2 3 5 1500
voltage 220 1.8 4 6 1500
(kV) 500 5.5 10000

3. Basic insulation characteristics of the insulators being washed


It is well know that the water resistivity, equivalent salt
deposit density (ESDD) and the creepage distance of the insulator
surface have much influence on the washing withstand voltage (WWV)
of the insulators being washed. Usually, the insulator may flash
over when the leakage current on insulator surface exceeds 500mA.
Besides, there are other factors influencing the leakage current
on the surface of the insulators being washed, such as the washing
method, distribution of the contaminants on the insulator surface,
the water pressure, the nozzle orifice diameter and its roughness
of inner surface, equivalent diameter and mounting height of the
insulators and so on.

3.1 Water resistivity, ESDD, ratio of creepage distance and 50%


washing flashover voltage (WFV)
The resistivity of washing water, ESDD and ratio of creepage
distance of the insulators are major factors influencing flashover
voltage during hot line washing.
A series of test has been carried out by changing above-mentioned
three factors. The test samples are llZS-llO1l,
11ZS-220"and 11ZS-50011

230
15-2

post insulators. The resistivity of washing water are 1000, 2300,


10000, 50000 and 100000 n.cm. The ESDD on the insulators are 0,
0.025, 0.05, 0.1, 0.15, 0.2, 0.25, 0.3 and 0.4 mg/cm2. The ratio of
creepage distance are 1.5'1.7 and 2.3-2.5cm/kV.
The value of 50% washing flashover voltage (WFV) can be obtained
by changing above-mentioned three factors. It is shown in figs.10,
11 and 12.
P
x , P
X
-- hz2.3
A 4.7
A= 1.7

ai 02
w
$ looo 0.I az a3 0.4

ESDD, mg/cmz 2
E ESDD, mg/cm2
Fig.10 Washing insulation Fig.11 Washing insulation
characteristics of characteristics of
llOkV insulators 220kV insulators

3.2 Washing method and WFV 3


Y
I
Several washing methods were
compared for hot line washing.
It is found that the values of
50% washing flashover voltage
(WFV) are very different when
the washing methods are varied.
It is very important to choose
appropriate method in order to
ensure the safety washing. The 1 I 1
46 0.1 0.6
test results with single jet ESDD, m g / c m *
method and double jets following
method are shown in table 2. The
Fig.12 Washing insulation
WFV for double jets following characteristics of
method is 12% higher than that 500kV insulators

231
15-2

for single jet method. So the double jets following method is


recommended.
Table 2 Comparison of the WFV for different washing method
Water resistivity: 2300 R.cm; ESDD: 0.1 mg/cm2

Sample Washing method WFV (kV) a(%)


2s-110 Single jet 88.3 2.57
post insulator Double jet 101.3 2.25
zs-220 Single jet 148.6 2.7
post insulator Double jet 170 3.7

3.3 Contaminant adhesion on the insulator surface and W F V


In the test, the conductive matter in contaminants deposited on
the insulator surface are simulated with NaC1. Its conductive
degree is expressed in Equivalent Salt Deposit Density (ESDD). The
moisture absorbing matter in the contaminants deposited on the
insulator surface is simulated with diatomite.
Besides, the adhesive ability of contaminant layer on the
insulator surface is also an important factor influencing the
washing effect and WFV. To simulate the adhesive ability, some
binder is mixed with salt and diatomite in the test.
For determining the quantity of the binder in the artificial
contaminants, comparing tests were conducted. Some polluted
insulators having operated for certain period were collected from
coastal and industrial area. Before washing, the ESDDs for both
artificially and naturally polluted insulators are nearly the same.
After washing by same time, if the remainder ESDDs of the two kinds
of insulators are also nearly the same, the quantity of the binder
in the artificial contaminants can be accepted as adequate.
According to the quantity of mixed binder two types of artificial
contaminants are used: llcoastalll .
and tlindustrial*lThe comparing
test results for the two kinds of polluted insulators are shown in
table 3.
The W F V for the llcoastalllpolluted insulator is higher than the
81industria11t. Because the quantity of mixed binder for "coastal" is
less than that for llindustrialll, the contaminants on insulator

232
15-2

can be washed away more easily, and


surface painted with llcoastalvl
its insulating strength will renew quickly.
Table 3 Comparison of the WFV for insulators polluted with
different contaminants
Diameter of the nozzle orifice: 4 mm
ESDD: 0.1 mg/cm2; Water resistivity: 2300 R.cm
Sample:

@ICoastal type" IIIndustrial type"


WFV (kV) 81.5 76.3
3.6 7.3

3.4 Distribution of the contaminants and WFV


The insulators are polluted evenly on the surface in the test,
but in natural condition the case is different. Usually, when the
upper and lower surfaces of the insulators are not evenly polluted,
the WFV will increase according to the unevenness. When the left
and right surfaces of the insulators are not evenly polluted, the
WFV will decrease slightly. In the extreme case, however, when only
one side of insulator is artificially polluted, the decrease of the
WFV is not significant, as shown in table 4 .
Table 4 comparison of WFV of insulators polluted in different ways
Diameter of the nozzle orifice: 4 mm
ESDD: 0.1 mg/cm2; Water resistivity: 2300 n.cm
Sample: ZS-220 post insulator
Item Even painting Half side painting
WFV (kV) 175.3 168.3
Q (%I 2.3 3.8

3.5 The influence of the pump pressure


The WFV of the polluted insulator changes with the variation of
the water pressure at the pump outlet. A proper pressure
corresponding to maximum W m can be found for a certain nozzle
orifice diameter. See table 5.
Table 5 The influence of the pump pressure
Diameter of the nozzle orifice: 4 mm

233
15-2

Pump pressure (kPa) 588 784 980


WFV (kV) 79.2 84 82.2
0 (%I 6.1 4.2 5.1

3.6 The influence of the nozzle orifice diameter and the roughness
of its inner surface
At present, the hand-held jet nozzle used in hot line washing can
be classified to 3 types according to the diameter of the nozzle
orifice. The llsmallgg
type is for those with the diameter less than
3 mm, the "middleg1type -- between 8
'
4 mm, and the "largeootype --
for those with the diameter more than 9 mm. Among the 3 types,
anyone can be chosen, but the water pressure must be changed
accordingly. It is necessary for safety washing to keep the range
of the water stream and the water pressure on the insulator
surface.
The shape of the nozzle orifice, especially the polished
roughness of its inner surface influences on the dynamic
characteristic of the water stream and WFV of insulators in certain
degree.
The results of the test are shown in tables 6 and 7.

+
Table 6 The influence of the nozzle orifice diameter

X (cm/kV)
Sample
ESDD(mg/cm2)
zs-110
1.7
zs-220 ? zs-220

d ("1
P (k-1 1660 784 1660 784 1660 784
WFV (kV) 93.2 92.6 88 88.4 170 175
4.6 4.4

where: X--specific creepage distance (cm/kV)


d--diameter of nozzle orifice (mm)
p--water pressure (kPa)

234
15-2

Table 7 The influence of the roughness of the orifice inner surface


I 1 I i

Roughness Ra=1.6'3.2 pm Ra=12.5'25 pm


ESDD(mg/cm*) 0.05 0.1 0.05 0.1
WFV (kV) 92.6 88.4 83.6 76.3
Q (%I 4.4 4.6 8 7.3 A

Sample 2s-110 llOkV bushing


Sample diameter (mm) 190 520
Height (mm) 1060 1100
Creepage distance (mm) 1770 2080
W F V (kV) 84.5 82
Q (%I 4 4

3.8 The influence of the mounting height of the insulators


When the insulators are mounted at a high place, the W F V is lower
than that at ground level.
As usual, the nozzle is held by operator standing on the ground.
the water pressure on the insulator surface decreases as the
distance from the nozzle to energized part increases and the splash
gets more serious when the samples are mounted at a high place. The
test results are shown in table 9.

235
15-2

Sample 2s-220 ZS-500


d ("1 4 2.5 6
HI (m) 2 2 4

H, (m) 0 2 0 2 2.1 3.7


WFV (kV) 175.3 159.7 170 155.6 375 375
0 (%I 2.3 4.4 3.7 5.3 / I

Where: d--diameter of nozzle orifice (mm)


HI--height of sample (m)
H,--mounted height of sample (m)
The WFV of 500kV sample are not different, because the difference
of mounting height of the samples is not big.

unenergized and the adjacent dm

insulators are energized. The


arrangement of the sample is WATER - f\
\J
shown in fig 13.
The comparison among WFV,

236
15-2

for the adjacent insulators to avoid flashover during hot line


washing.
Table 10 The comparison of WFV, SFV and FFV.
Diameter of the nozzle orifice: 4 mm

Item WFV SFV FFV


Sample type ZS-no ZS-220 2s-110 ZS-220 zs-110
U50 (kv) 88.3 175.3 86.4 13 6.4 67.9 (average)
CJ 2.6 2.3 2.9 6.1

Comparison item WFV SFV


U
, (kV) 375 413

4. Determination of the critical salt deposit density during hot


line washing
The critical salt deposit density method is a scientific hot line
washing method. It has been developed after numerous hot line
washing experiments, with all the above-mentioned factors, such as
the resistivity of water, the ESDD of contaminant layer, the
specific creepage distance of the insulators, etc, taken into
account. The washing conditions can be controlled with this method

237
15-2

to prevent the insulators from flash over. The washing withstand


voltage (WWV) of insulators corresponding to ffZS-llOff f ' Z S - 2 2 0 1 f and
1 t Z S - 5 0 0 f f can be obtained respectively from figs.10, 11 and 12. The
U,(WWV) can be derived from U50 and a:
U,=u50 ( 1-30)
where: U,--WWV, washing withstand voltage
U,,--WFV, 5 0 % washing flashover voltage
a--standard deviation ( 6 % )
These curves of the WWV are quite similar to those of WFV ( U 5 0 ) i
( see fig.12, other figures is omitted ) .
The value of the ESDD
corresponding to the
intersection point of the line
of maximum operation voltage
and the curves of WWV is
considered as the withstand
values of salt deposit density
for substation insulators
being washed.
In considering other factors
affecting WFV, the withstand
value of salt deposit density
times safe ratio is regarded
as critical salt deposit
density of substation
insulators during hot line
IO00
~ 31625 6 1 1 7912
1 2 5 1995
6309 10000
i 5 8 i % b i I 39RI
1
washing, as shown in fig.14
WATER RESISTIVITY, p , o . cm
and table 12. Fig.14 is for
llOkV and 220kV substation Fig.14 Critical salt deposit
insulators, table 12 is for density of washed substation
insulators, rated voltage 1220kV
500kV substation insulators.

Ratio of creepage distance (cm/kV) 1.7'2.3 22.3


CSDD (mg/cm2) 0.05 0.07

238
15-2

Conclusion

a. On the basis of the study of the insulating strength of water


stream, the minimum distances from nozzle tip to energized part
for safe hot line washing are recommended, which suit IlOkV,
220kV and 500kV substation insulators.
b. By considering various factors influencing WFV, for example, the
ESDD of t h e insulators being washed, the resistivity of washing
water, the ratio of the creepage distance, etc, the "critical
salt deposit density method" has been developed. With this
method, the hot line washing can be controlled quantitatively.
C. By comparing of different washing methods, the optimum method
"two jets following method" is recommended.
d. On the basis of scientific research and operation experiences,
the "Regulation of Hot Washing for Electric Power Apparatus''
(GB13395-92) has been drafted.

Reference

[l] Whang Ruzhang, "Study on the safety technique of hot washing."


IEEE/CSEE Joint Conference on High-Voltage Transmission Systems
in China. October 1987.
[2] llRegulationof Hot Washing for Electric Power Apparatus"
Chinese national standard (GB13395-92), October 1992, China.
[3] Sun Lin, "Study on the 500kV Hot Line Washing", Research report
of EPRI, China. October 1990.

239

You might also like