Naturally aged polymeric insulators: Washing and its consequences

This paper analyzes the effect of natural saline pollution on polymer insulators that have been aged in the field, and the impact of washing on their performance. Leakage current measurement was the main method used, with infrared radiation detection employed as an auxiliary technique. The 69 kV insulators were in operation for eight years in Porto de Galinhas, in the overhead power lines of the Pernambuco's Electricity Company (CELPE).