Abstract
The insulating characteristics and temperature rise behaviors of porcelain suspension insulators were investigated. The testing insulators had used in the distribution systems normally and were sampled. Firstly, leakage current was measured and its impedance was calculated. The leakage current of good insulators is 0.2 mA and its impedance is 66 $M{\Omega}$. The worse insulators have lower impedance and the insulators having below 15 $M{\Omega}$ take place flashover at the high frequency voltage flashover test. Secondly, the temperature rise characteristics were analyzed depending on leakage current and its impedance. Surface temperature of insulators was measured for 30 minutes and until its saturation after voltage was applied. The temperature rise of insulators having 15 $M{\Omega}$ is about $14.5^{\circ}C$ above the ambient temperature. Lastly, the heating behaviors of 3 insulators in a string was analyzed. Any insulator in the string does not generate heat so far as it has at least one sound insulator. On the other hand, all the insulators in the string are bad if the string have any heating insulator.
