Non-Contact Detection Technology of Operation Status for Transmission Line Insulators: Characteristics, Perspectives, and Challenges

The operation status of transmission line insulators, such as damage, zero-value, pollution, and deterioration, affect the safe operation of power grids. Non-contact detection technology judges the operating status of transmission line insulators through indirect means such as electrical, thermal, acoustic, and image signals. Due to its advantages of rapidity and high efficiency, it has been widely accepted by operation departments. This paper summarizes existing non-contact detection technologies for transmission line insulator conditions, including acoustic wave detection, electric field detection, infrared/ultraviolet imaging detection and spectral detection. It analyzes the principle, characteristics, and application scenarios of each non-contact detection technology. Combined with the rapid development of artificial intelligence technology, the paper looks forward to future new detection methods, such as those integrating deep learning, multi-component comprehensive detection, and multi-source data-driven detection. Finally, the challenges faced by the detection of Ultra-High Voltage (UHV) transmission lines are analyzed. This study provides a reference for the research and development of non-contact detection technology for transmission line insulators.