Abstract

LIZAMA-CAMARA, Y.A. et al. Design and Construction of a Live Insulator Washing System for Transformers. Ing. invest. y tecnol. [online]. 2012, vol.13, n.2, pp.237-247. ISSN 2594-0732.

Through the electrical industry history there have been developments of different cleaning methods to avoid the insulators flashovers due to pollution. This paper describes the principal cleaning methods applicable to transformers insulators, emphasizing the high pressure fixed-type live insulator washing method, which was applied for cleaning the insulators of 900 MVA transformer bank of the "Laguna Verde" power plant localized at the state of Veracruz in Mexico. We propose a transformer insulator cleaning methodology, which identifies the main variables to take into account (the voltage level of the transformers, the pollution level of the insulators, determination of the optimal wash time, the amount of water, the optimal pressure of water jet, the maximum conductivity of the water and the wind velocity), reference values are given for these variables. In addition, we present an economic cost analysis when applying a method of this kind in an electric substation.

Keywords : cleaning methods; washing of insulators; pollution; transformers; de-energized; energized; high pressure water.