Study on Insulator Local Arc Development Considering Energy Level Transition and Surface Particles

Insulator pollution flashover is one of the common faults in power transmission and distribution lines. Due to the complex mechanism of surface discharge and the numerous influencing factors, there is currently a lack of comprehensive theoretical explanations and accurate prediction methods for its discharge mechanism. Existing studies mainly use macroscopic analytical methods such as empirical formulas and experimental tests, which are insufficient to fully reveal the formation and development process of local arcs. This paper addresses the issue of significant differences in surface contamination particles on insulators in different regions. It analyzes the chemical composition of common contamination layers and introduces the theory of energy level transitions, focusing on the energy required for ionization of different contamination particles on the insulator surface during the development of local arcs. The study further examines the impact of the composition ratio of contamination particles on the development of local arcs during the discharge process. The results of this study provide valuable references for understanding the mechanisms of local arc development in insulators, particularly the influence of contamination components. Additionally, it offers theoretical support for the fault prediction and operation maintenance of insulators.