Performance evaluation of polymeric insulators aged in lab and field

Multistress accelerated lab aging of polymeric insulators simulating actual stresses encountered in the field has the merit of reproducing the actual service environment in the lab. This permits a better understanding of the ongoing mechanisms related to aging and life expectancy of the insulators in service. This paper presents the results of a one-year field and lab aging study of 28 kV (line voltage) distribution/dead end type insulators in two different US environments. Various stresses applied include UVA Radiation, heat, rain, clear mist and salt fog, in addition to electrical. Weather cycles simulating summer and winter of Phoenix (AZ) and Boston (MA) were developed based on meteorological data. Good correlation between field and lab aging exemplifies the validity of the multistress aging performed in the lab.