Feasibility study for a DC tracking & erosion test

This report is the result of work performed under Cigré Working Group D1.27 (Material Properties for New and Nonceramic Insulation) between 2009 and 2014. Relevant literature with focus on testing DC tracking and erosion properties of composite outdoor insulation was reviewed. It was noted that in spite of various material tests (DC salt fog test, DC rotating wheel dip test, DC inclined-plane test), no reports on actual erosion on HVDC composite outdoor insulation in service have been reported. It is concluded that the key parameter is not alone to optimize a material for maximal erosion resistance under HVDC, but to supress the resistive leakage currents from reaching values where electrial discharges are initiated. A Round Robin Test (RRT) was performed based on the DC inclined-plane…