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Controlling Conductor Motion with Interphase Spacers in Regions of Contamination

Key Words: Insulator contamination, conductor motion, galloping, interphase spacers, silicone insulators

Introduction
Conductor motion and contaminated environments pose two major operating challenges for many utilities, especially when they occur simultaneously. In addition, these lines may be exposed to a variety of contaminants from line-section to line-section and this can have a severe effect on the performance of overhead lines. There are several forms of conductor motion that occur on distribution and transmission lines. Most utilities have had some experience with at least one of the forms of conductor motion. These events and other storm related damage can be extremely costly for utilities [1]. Evidence of such damage can be seen in Figure 1. Two forms of conductor motion that create most distribution and transmission line operating challenges are wake-induced motion and galloping conductors. The system operating conditions that are associated with conductor motion can create varying degrees of line damage. At times the effects can be minimal, but too often they cause severe conductor and structure damage. Overhead lines with severe conductor motion activity that are located in areas with harshly-contaminated conditions compound the problem for utilities. One of the most effective solutions to severe conductor motion requires the use of insulating devices installed between phases and/or between a phase and an overhead ground wire. In these instances, it is imperative that the addition of the insulating devices not create another point of weakened system performance resulting from contamination flashover. The application of interphase spacers to resolve these issues, an approach taken by some utilities, is discussed in this article.

A. J. Carreira
K-Line Insulators Limited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

The costs associated with outages and damage resulting from conductor motion and contaminated insulator flashovers can run into millions of dollars per year.
A. Aeolian Vibration
A common form of conductor activity experienced by many utilities world-wide is characterized as a low amplitude, high frequency conductor motion. The peak-to-peak amplitude of vibration is usually less than the diameter of the conductor and the frequencies that will cause this form of vibration range from 3 to 150 Hz. Aeolian vibration is the result of a steady, low-velocity transverse wind on the line. There is usually no ice associated with Aeolian vibration unless it is uniformly distributed over the conductor surface. Some industry standards dictate that adequate steps shall be taken to suppress this form of conductor motion in areas known to be subject to damaging vibration [3]. The common solution for this form of conductor motion is to add vibration dampers (Figure 2) to the conductors.

Types of Conductor Motion and Methods of Control

Aeolian vibration, sub-conductor oscillations, wind induced wakes of horizontal motion, and galloping are the most common forms of conductor activity. They are all caused by different, or a combination of different, atmospheric conditions.

B. Sub-Conductor Oscillation
Sub-conductor oscillations tend to take a rolling and twisting form with widely varying frequencies, but usually in the range

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Figure 3. Typical bundle conductor spacer damper. Figure 1. Line damage stemming from the ice storm of 1998 in Canada & North-East USA [2].

from 0.15 to 10 Hz. The peak-to-peak amplitudes typically range from 0.05 to 20 times the diameter of the conductor for a sub-span mode and up to 80 times the conductor diameter for a rigid-body mode. This type of conductor motion only occurs with bare and dry bundled conductors. It is caused by the wake effects of the upwind conductor on the downwind conductor. Proper positioning of spacer dampers (Figure 3) can reduce the damage effects due to multi-bundle phase sub-conductor oscillations.

are sufficiently great they can cause the conductors to clash with each other. Conductor flashover will occur if the different phases come into sufficient proximity to each other or actually clash. The flashover or the conductor contact will result in conductor burn damage. If the frequency and severity of these events are great enough, this conductor motion can impart cumulative latent damage to the line structures and eventually cause them to fail mechanically.

D. Galloping
Conductor galloping occurs when there is a moderate wind blowing across a line with asymmetrically ice-covered conductors. The amount of ice build up necessary to cause galloping varies. An example of excessive ice build up is demonstrated in Figure 4. This form of conductor motion is characterized as having a low-frequency but high-amplitude resonance. The shape of the ice coating causes the conductor to become aerodynamically unstable.

C. Wake-Induced Motion
Wind can induce wakes of horizontal conductor motion. If this wind effect is maintained, it can cause the adjacent phases to swing in opposing directions (out of synchronization). As the winds increase the conductor motion also increases. If the forces

Figure 2. Typical vibration damper to control aeolian vibration.

Figure 4. Conductor ice build-up.

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The wires can move in amplitudes ranging from a few feet to as high as full sag. Frequencies can vary widely, but are usually in the range from 0.08 to 3.0 Hz. The conductor motion is mainly vertical and can appear as a standing wave of single or multiple loops but normally also tends to dance in a slightly elliptical mode (Figure 5). The vertical, transverse, and longitudinal line loads generated by galloping conductors can have severe consequences on distribution and on transmission lines.

installed along each span requires a somewhat trial-and-error approach. Field trials with different weights and at different locations may be required before finalizing the installation. Some negative aspects of these devices are that their weight can result in reduced conductor clearances and increased conductor tensions.

B. Air Flow Spoilers

Air flow spoilers (Figure 7) are made of polyvinyl chloride (PVC). These devices add a spiraled shape to the conductor, thus modifying the wires behavior with respect to the wind. When air flow spoilers are used, they must be installed on all conductors in the span. They may also become loose and shift along the line, deteriorate because of ultraviolet radiation, and lose their effectiveness in areas experiencing more than moderate amounts of ice.

Solutions to Galloping
The industry has normally tended to approach the solution to galloping by adopting one of three devices. The three devices normally used to control galloping were detuning pendulums, air flow spoilers, and interphase spacers [4]. While these devices will not completely eliminate galloping, they are all intended to reduce the size of the galloping ellipses. In addition to reducing galloping, interphase spacers will also prevent conductor clashing. These devices are usually installed on existing lines after the problem of galloping has been identified. On rare occasions they have been installed on new lines where it has been identified at the design stage that galloping will likely occur and can not be cost-effectively eliminated by line redesign.

C. Interphase Spacers
While interphase spacers (IPS) contribute to the reduction of conductor galloping amplitudes, their main objective is to maintain conductor separation, thereby reducing the possibility of flashover. To achieve optimum performance, the IPS must be installed at the appropriate locations between the phases (Figure 8). Because IPS (Figure 9) must be installed between energized phase conductors, they must have sufficient electrical insulation to maintain operation of the line. The type of insulator that has had the most success in overcoming all of the negative aspects of the other galloping control devices is the polymer insulator [5]. Two of the main features of a polymer insulator are their lightweight characteristics and their high mechanical strengths. The IPS design

A. Detuning Pendulums
The detuning pendulum (Figure 6) is best described as a device that is designed to perform as a counterweight to conductor torsional rotation during galloping activity. The weight and the arm length of this device combine to reduce the torsional natural frequency of the conductor. The selection of the weight and arm length, how many are to be installed, and where they are to be

Figure 5. Representation of a conductor galloping ellipse.

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Figure 8. Position of interphase spacers for three verticallyaligned phases.

Insulator Contamination
Figure 6. Typical detuning pendulum. The installation of IPS on a line in an area of high contamination naturally raises a new concern for the user. It is imperative that the introduction of insulators in-span between phase conductors or between a phase conductor and an overhead ground wire does not create a location for a contamination flashover. To ensure such an IPS installation supports good system performance, it is imperative that the selection of the IPS insulator designs be carefully considered. In order to select the appropriate insulator designs and materials for use in IPS and to avoid flashovers in contaminated environments, it is necessary to understand the process and mechanisms of atmospheric contamination flashover [7]. Contamination comes in many forms. Industrial environments are often accompanied by industrial pollutants. Many large cities around the world also have severe automotive-generated pollution. Coastal areas of course create an ocean salt contamination problem. Even agricultural areas are not immune to airborne contamination. In this case, the contaminant comes in the form of liquid fertilizer which is sprayed by equipment into the air to fall onto the produce growing locations. There is also a propensity to scatter salt on roadways in areas with heavy snowfall and ice accumulation. The salt is a safety precaution that prevents automobiles from sliding on the roads. Many locations have more than one type of contamination source in the same vicinity. There are types of contaminants that are readily visible on the surface of insulators. In some cases the build up of such contamination can be quite severe (Figure 10). In order for atmospheric contamination flashover to occur, there must be both contamination and wetting on the surface of the insulator. Airborne pollutants are carried by wind and deposited on the insulators. The design and shape of the insulator profile dictates the amount of pollution that is trapped by the insulators surfaces. Moisture is then introduced through rain, humidity, melting ice, or other means. The material of the insulating medium will affect the wetting of the surface. Upon sufficient wetting, the contamination on the insulator surface forms a conductive solu-

must meet torsional, bending, and compression loading requirements. IPS can be hinged or rigid depending on application and span length, and are used on lines up to 500 kV.

Solutions to Wake-Induced Conductor Motion

The most common solution used to prevent damage from wake-induced conductor motion is to maintain physical separation between the line conductors at all times to ensure the conductors do not clash. Preventing wake-induced conductor motion is accomplished by using specific IPS polymer insulator designs. Installed in the appropriate locations within a span (usually at two or three positions), these devices are very effective in preventing horizontal clashing of conductors. These devices are usually installed on existing lines after the problem of horizontal clashing has been identified.

Figure 7. Typical air flow spoiler.

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Figure 9. An example of an interphase spacer design [6].

tion. Current flows along the surface of the insulator through the conductive solution. This current flow produces uneven heating of the solution due to its non-uniform conductivity. The heating results in dry-band arcing, which can in turn result in the flashover of the entire insulator.

a result, the manufacturers of IPS have had to rely on their own sound technical expertise and field experience. While these units have to be specifically custom designed for each intended application, there are some relatively standard minimum characteristic requirements.

Solutions to Contamination and Conductor Motion

There is no doubt that the combined effects of conductor motion in a contaminated environment present special problems for utility operators. The use of IPS to solve these conductor motion conditions can be immensely effective, provided that the insulator design, the insulator material, and the IPS design are properly selected. In addition to this, it is advantageous that the IPS be designed in a manner that permits flexibility in the methods that can be used to install these devices. Application design (proper location of the IPS on the line) is also critical to ensure optimum effectiveness of the installation.

A. Electrical Characteristics
The minimum BIL typically used for an IPS installation is 1.2 times the power system BIL. This level of BIL ensures that the phase spacers are of higher electrical resistance and not the weak link when compared to all other typical line insulator configurations. Some form of shielding is required at all transmission voltages. On alternating current transmission systems, the electric field strength at the insulator attachment point is based on the presence of not only the conductor attached to the insulator but also the effects of the presence of the other two phases of the three-phase system [9]. When a gradient ring is used, its design is based on the maximum field strength applied at the conductor-to-insulator fitting attachment point. The type of gradient ring used on an IPS then would be the same as for a conventional line insulator in a three-phase system. Shielding is required at both ends of the IPS. Bonding straps are also used both when connecting to the conductor hardware and at the hinged locations. The new IEC 60815 has replaced the specific creepage distance (SCD) with a new parameter called the unified specific creepage distance (USCD). While SCD was based on the highest phase-tophase system voltage, USCD is based on the maximum operating voltage across the insulator. The five classifications of contamination are very light, light, medium, heavy and very heavy with

Insulator Design
IPS insulators used in these environments must be designed to have minimal pollution catch and a profile that will promote good water shedding. This requires an insulator with a good aerodynamic profile design. It also requires an optimal shed spacing which will promote self-cleaning characteristics. In addition to these characteristics the insulators must have good electrical stress suppression characteristics and high mechanical strength. There is a lack of national and international standards for IPS. Some utilities do have their own internal specification for polymer IPS [8]. These are rare and, in many cases, outdated. As

Figure 10. Contaminated insulators.

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corresponding creepage distances of 22, 28, 35, 43, and 54 mm/ kV, respectively. IPS applications often have creepage distances in excess of these minimums.

B. Mechanical Characteristics
Typical mechanical tensile ratings of IPS designs are in the range of 90 kN strengths for distribution line units and 120 kN strength for transmission line units. The torsional load strength of these units is about 80 Nm. There is great value in using very lightweight insulator designs in IPS applications. In order to keep the weight of these units light, it is necessary to use insulators with small-diameter rods. Since these lighter-weight insulators have a lower resistance to high compressive forces, it is necessary to design the IPS to withstand the compressive loads they may encounter in service. Lines with shorter spans and lower conductor elevations above ground are normally exposed to much less aggressive galloping or wake-induced conductor motion activity. These span lengths are more likely representative of distribution lines but can also include some transmission lines. In these cases, the compressive forces are relatively low and easily absorbed by a rigid IPS design. Longer span lengths with higher above ground conductor elevations can generate much greater compressive forces. In order to use lightweight IPS units in these instances, the designs are typically hinged, thereby reducing the compressive loads to below the strength of the IPS. This design approach is used to avoid buckling of the IPS as a result of any compressive forces. It is important to note that the above are to be considered minimum typical values. Interphase spacers are always specifically designed for each application, and as such, all of these factors must be reviewed for each installation and modified as required to ensure long term performance.

Figure 11. Silicone rubber insulators showing their hydrophobicity.

C. Insulator Weathershed Material

Insulators to be used as IPS under the conditions described need to have a highly hydrophobic surface in order to provide good line and system performance. The term hydrophobicity is generally characterized as a materials ability to bead water. The ability of a material to bead water is related to its intrinsic free surface energy. Materials with a lower free surface energy than water will exhibit good hydrophobicity. Silicone rubber is a material with such low free surface energy that it exhibits excellent hydrophobic characteristics. The hydrophobicity of silicone insulators eliminates the possibility of complete surface wetting, thereby reducing leakage currents to a minimum and thus preventing flashovers from occurring. This feature of silicone rubber further enhances the insulators performance during contaminated and wet conditions. Not only new but heavily-contaminated silicone insulators can also exhibit excellent hydrophobicity (Figure 11). Considerable testing has been performed and the results consistently demonstrate that in general, the value of surface resistance for field-aged silicone rubber is much higher than for other polymer materials or ceramics [10]. In one example, at the beginning of an outdoor installation study both silicone and EPDM insulators demonstrated superior performance to that of

glass and porcelain insulators. In the longer term, however, the silicone rubber insulator maintained its excellent performance, while the performance of the EPDM rubber insulator drastically deteriorated [11]. The results of a ten-year study demonstrated that even heavilystressed silicone rubber insulators with very low specific leakage distances (8.2 mm/kV to 9.3 mm/kV) had the ability to repeatedly recover their high surface resistivity and good performance. The investigation went as far as to conclude that in some instances it is possible to reduce the leakage distance of silicone insulators as compared to that of ceramic insulators and still attain the same or better field performance [12]. This better performance is attributed to silicones superior hydrophobic properties. The degree to which one silicone formulation might perform better than another is dependent on its chemical composition. Even the particle size selection of components such as alumina trihydrate (ATH) can influence that performance and life expectancy in harsh environments [13].

Figure 12. Horizontally-installed rigid IPS.

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Figure 13. IPS installations mitigating galloping conductor motion.

Interphase Spacer Design and Installation

Interphase spacers require a different design depending on the application (type of conductor motion), line configuration (flat, vertical, offset) and the required installation method (live-line, from helicopter, etc.). Galloping conductor motion and wakeinduced conductor motion are the two main applications where IPS designs are used. Wake-induced conductor motion IPS designs tend to be rigid and are usually installed in a horizontal configuration (Figure 12). Rigid IPS designs can also be installed to control galloping in lines with shorter spans and lower conductor elevations. Designs used to mitigate galloping for longer spans with higher elevation conductors (more typical of transmission lines) are usually installed in a vertical or offset configuration and have a hinged connection point (Figure 13). These insulators can become extremely long as the line voltage increases. Since most IPS installations occur after a line has been built and operating, it is important that IPS designs be flexible enough for installation using the various work methods available throughout the industry. Work methods vary greatly from country to country and from utility to utility. Some of the installation methods used

by utilities require the lines be de-energized. Other installations require the use of live-line work methods. Various installation techniques and work methods are illustrated in Figure 14. Interphase spacers have been, and continue to be, successfully used world-wide. The greatest challenge for an IPS is in controlling galloping under severely contaminated conditions. These conditions of extreme dynamics of conductor motion combined with severe electrical stress are the true test for the devices. Many years of field experience with these devices in locations such as in Canada, the United States, northern Europe, and parts of the Middle East and Asia have proven that a well-designed IPS with superior material characteristics will provide the required performance and system protection.

Conclusions
Interphase spacers are the most popular solution used today to prevent both wake-induced conductor motion and galloping. In order for IPS to be effective and functional, they must be properly designed and exhibit good hydrophobicity. Interphase spacer designs come in various configurations. When designing an IPS it is necessary to consider the specific

Figure 14. IPS installation work methods and techniques. 33

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application for that device. A design to be used on a transmission line will usually be different from the design that would be used on a distribution line. The type of conductor motion to be mitigated will also further define the IPS design. The design required to solve galloping motion will be different from the design addressing horizontal wake-induced motion. Interphase spacers can be designed for installation using either energized or de-energized work methods and various work techniques. As a result, an IPS is usually custom designed for each specific installation.

[12] T. Sorvquist, Polymer outdoor insulators A long-term study, Doctoral thesis, Chalmers University of Technology, Goteborg, 1997. [13] H. Deng, R. Hackam, and E. A. Cherney, Role of the size of particles of Alumina trihydrate filler in the life of RTV silicone rubber coating, IEEE 94 SM 464-8 PWRD, presented at IEEE/PES Summer Meeting, July 1994 .

References
[1]

T. Rusnov, Ice storm 1998, Ontario Hydro Services Company Report, 1998. [2] Insulator News & Market Report (INMR) Magazine, vol. 6, no. 2, Mar./Apr. 1998, cover. [3] Overhead Systems, CAN/CSA-C22.3 no. 1-01, Dec. 2001. [4] Design and installation guidelines for galloping control devices for distribution lines, Ontario Hydro, CEA 196 D 367, Canada, Mar. 1994. [5] CIGRE Working Group 11, Study Committee 22, Results of questionnaire on interphase spacers, Electra, no. 143, Aug. 1992. [6] A. J. Carreira and E. P. Gnandt, Inspection techniques for detecting latent damage to existing overhead transmission lines from previous ice and wind storms, WISMIG, CEA Technologies Inc., CEATI Report No. T0237003308, Canada, Dec. 2004. [7] J. S. T. Looms, Insulators for High Voltages. IEE Power Engineering Series 7, Peter Peregrinus Ltd. ISBN 0 86341 116 9, 1988. [8] Polymer Interphase Spacers 230 kV, Ontario Hydro Standard L-884, Aug. 1981. [9] W. Que and S. Sebo, Electric field and potential distribution along dry and clean non-ceramic insulators, presented at Electrical Insulation Conf. and Electrical Manufacturing & Coil Winding Conf., 2001. [10] S. Venkataraman and R. S. Gorur, Prediction of flashover voltage of nonceramic insulators under contaminated conditions, IEEE Trans. Dielectr. Electr. Insul., vol. 13, no. 4, pp. 862 869, Aug. 2006. [11] A. E. Vlastos and S. M. Gubanski, Surface structural changes of naturally aged silicone and EPDM composite insulators, IEEE 90 SM 424-2 PWRD, presented at IEEE/PES Summer Meeting, Jul. 1990.

Tony Carreira received his Bachelor of Applied Science in Electrical Engineering from the University of Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, in 1978. After graduation, Tony held engineering and management positions with Ontario Hydro (now Hydro One) in Toronto, Canada. During this period, his career at Hydro included work at the Research Division, Generation Division, Transmission Maintenance & Operations Division and the Distribution Design Department. His main expertise at Hydro encompassed electrical power distribution and transmission design, planning, construction, and maintenance. In 1990, he became the president of K-Line Insulators in Toronto where he is responsible for managing and operating the polymer insulator manufacturing company. He also operates Carreira High Voltage Engineering Incorporated. He is a member of the Association of Professional Engineers of Ontario, CIGRE, CSA, and CEA and is a Senior Member of the IEEE. He sits on various committees, working groups, and task forces in these organizations. Tony has authored and co-authored various technical papers and reports and has made numerous technical presentations at symposia and conferences around the world.

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