Impulse Voltage Generator Settings Matching Steepness According to IEC 62217 for the Tension and Suspension MV Polymer Insulators Testing

Lightning strikes on transmission and distribution power lines pose significant hazards due to their potential to cause external disruptions. The steepness of lightning waves is difficult to predict, often resulting in overvoltage conditions that exceed the designed lightning protection characteristics. These conditions can surpass insulators' Basic Insulation Level (BIL) capability. In our research, we set up an impulse wave generator to achieve the desired steepness by IEC 62217 standards. We conducted studies to configure the impulse generator to produce various impulse waves with different steepness values. Testing was performed on polymeric insulators, both tension and suspension types. The results showed a non-linear relationship between front time, peak voltage, and steepness values. Additionally, variations in capacitor charging voltage, sphere gap distance, and triggering methods (self-trigger or trigatron) were identified, resulting in the highest and lowest steepness values and those that met or did not meet the standards. This testing successfully generated impulse waves, enabling us to establish the appropriate setup that complies with IEC 62217 standards.