Electro-Thermal Modeling of ZnO Surge Arresters for Predictive Maintenance Support through Infrared Thermography Considering Porcelain and Polymeric Housings

The surge arrester is a strategic component for ensuring the reliability, continuity, and safety of power system operation, making it crucial to preserve the integrity of this device. This paper presents a multiphysics analysis of zinc oxide (ZnO) surge arresters with porcelain and polymeric housings under continuous operating voltage. Two surge arresters with voltage ratings of 228 kV and 240 kV were modelled in 3D based on manufacturer construction drawings, including the air gap between the ZnO blocks and the housing. The proposed methodology combines 3D electromagnetic simulations, used to determine the electric field distribution and the energy dissipation in the ZnO blocks, with 2D thermal simulations, in which heat sources are defined based on the dissipated energy and natural…