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Preliminary Recommendations on the Suitable
Shed Profile for HVDC Station Insulators with
Silicone Rubber Housing
W.M. Ma, B. Luo, Z.Y. Su, Z.P. Dang, Z.C. Guan, X.D. Liang,
U. Åström, D. Wu, E. Y. Long, and H.G. Sun
Abstract--The selection of suitable shed profiles for station
insulators with silicone rubber housings is an important subject
for the successful operation of the HVDC and UHVDC systems.
This subject has been discussed on a Seminar with a group of
invited experts on external insulation. The participants
recognized the lack of research results in this area. However,
considering the urgent engineering needs for the coming UHVDC
projects, after a review of the operational experiences of the
existing 500-600 kV HVDC stations, especially the stations in
China, the participants concluded the Seminar with preliminary
recommendations on the decisive parameters of suitable shed
profiles and a test method for shed profile selection. These
recommendations are considered to be applicable to vertically
installed HVDC station insulators with silicone rubber housing
and with relative large diameters. At the same time, the
participants encourage and invite utilities, manufacturers, and
research institutes to be active on this subject and to provide
more reliable test results.
Index Terms—HVDC insulators, Silicone rubber insulators,
Insulator testing.
I. INTRODUCTION
M ore and more insulators with silicone rubber housings
have been and will be used in HVDC stations because
of, among other advantages, their superior pollution
performance. The selection of suitable shed profiles for this
type of station insulators is an important subject for the
successful operation of the HVDC and specially UHVDC
systems. However, there are no available standards and
recommendations on this subject. At the same time, there is an
urgent need for engineers both in utility and manufacturers to
be able to determine the shed profiles for the coming UHVDC
projects. With this background in mind, a Seminar took place
The authors are participants of the “Seminar on the Selection of Shed
Profiles for Composite HVDC Station Insulators”. The participants of this
meeting are listed with no special order:
W.M. Ma (BDCC of SGCC, China), B. Luo (TRC of CSG, China), Z.Y.
Su (CEPRI, China), Z. P. Dang (XECRI, China), Z.C. Guan (Tsinghua
University, China), X.D. Liang (Tsinghua University, China), U. Åström
(ABB HVDC, Sweden), D. Wu (ABB HVDC, Sweden), E.Y. Long (ABB
CNCRC, China), H.G. Sun (ABB CNCRC, China).
Contact persons:
Zhi-Yi Su, CEPRI, Qinghe, Beijing, China. E-mail: shuzy@epri.ac.cn
Dong Wu, ABB HVDC, Ludvika, Sweden. E-mail: dong.wu@se.abb.com
at Tsinghua University on 22nd Nov. of 2005, with a group of
invited experts on external insulation from Beijing Wanglian
HVDC Engineering Technology (BDCC) of State Power Grid
Cooperation of China (SGCC), Technology Research Center
(TRC) of China Southern Power Grid (CSG), China Electric
Power Research Institute (CEPRI), Xian Electro-Ceramic
Research Institute (XECRI), Tsinghua University, ABB
HVDC Sweden, and ABB Corporate Research in China
(CNCRC).
This seminar for invited experts was entitled as “Seminar on
the Selection of Shed Profiles for Composite HVDC Station
Insulators”. During this all-day seminar, the participants
discussed at great length on the issues related to the profile
selection, the parameters that need to be recommended, the
ranges of these parameters, as well as the test methods that can
be used to verify the profile selection. This paper present the
Minute of Meeting formed on this seminar as well as some
related discussions.
It should be noted, significantly, after this seminar, several
manufactures have designed their composite station insulators
for UHVDC applications. Several research groups are now, at
the same time of writing this article, performing experimental
studies on shed profile of composite station insulators.
II. REVIEW OF OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCES OF EXISTING ±500
& ±600 KV HVDC PROJECTS
The key issues reviewed on the Seminar are briefly
summarized below.
A. Wall bushings
The wall bushings were the equipment that had the highest
flashover rate in the converter stations. It was identified
through research work that the main cause of these flashovers
was uneven wetting (uneven-rain). To apply the hydrophobic
coatings on porcelain insulators or to use the silicone rubber
composite bushings have lead to a more uniform voltage
distribution along the insulator during uneven rain. The
problem of uneven wetting has therefore been solved with
good operational experience.
B. Station post insulators
Flashover on station post insulators was rare in earlier
operational experience. For some of the station post insulators
with an under dimensioned creepage distance, severe partial

discharge activities were observed. This problem has been
solved through the application of hydrophobic coatings or
booster sheds.
The porcelain station post insulators used in the Three-
Gorges to Changzhou and Three-Gorges to Guangdong
projects have had a satisfactory operational experience. The
shed profile of these insulators is given in Fig. 1.
Fig. 1. The shed profile of porcelain station post insulators used in Three
Gorges to Changzhou and Three Gorges to Guangdong projects
C. Vertically installed bushings
According to flashover statistics, half of the flashovers
occurred on this type of insulators were in rain. Certain
improvement in performance has been achieved through the
application of hydrophobic coatings.
TABLE I
NUMBER OF FLASHOVERS ON DIFFERENT PORCELAIN INSULATORS UNDER FOG
OR RAIN CONDITIONS (DATA FROM MORE THAN 40 STATIONS WORLD-WIDE)
Position/insulator type Fog Rain
Horizontal wall bushings 1 39
Vertically installed station 28 28
insulators of different types
D. Silicon- rubber composite insulators
The superior pollution performance of silicone-rubber
insulators is widely recognized. In the inland regions, silicone-
rubber insulators can operate safely even with a shorter
creepage distance than that of porcelain insulators. Such a
good experience has been reported in North America and
further demonstrated by vast experiences in China. It is so
required in China that the silicone-rubber insulators to be used
in polluted areas should be made of silicone-rubber materials
that have both high tracking resistance and good
hydrophobicity transferring ability.
E. Flashover statistic of insulators in HVDC stations
A review of operational experience of insulators in HVDC
stations reveal clearly that the flashover rate can be controlled
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to reach a very low level, e.g. 0.04 per pole per year as
indicated in Fig. 2. The flashover rate has no direct relations to
the system voltage level. A good performance of external
insulation can be achieved.
Fig. 2. Number of flashovers occurred per pole per year in 47 HVDC
stations worldwide.
III. ASPECTS NEED TO BE CONSIDERED
Various aspects that need to be considered when selecting
shed profiles and specifying related test methods for composite
insulators used in ±800 kV DC stations are listed below.
1. The natural conditions that have a major influence
on the shed profile selection.
2. The decisive parameters of insulator shed profile.
3. The influence of hydrophobicity on the shed
profile selection.
4. Operational experience of porcelain insulators.
5. Operational experience of insulators in HVAC
systems.
6. Operational experience of insulators in HVDC
systems.
7. Other constrains.
8. Test methods.
IV. RECOMMENDATIONS
A. The natural conditions that have a major influence on the
shed profile selection
For vertically installed composite insulators, both post
insulator and bushings, the flashover caused by heavy rain
occurred after relative long time of pollution accumulation is
considered as the major condition that will determine the shed
profile selection. This is because that operational experience
has shown that the typical pollution flashover is not the main
problem for silicone rubber insulators. However, some of the
experts pointed out that the low air pressure at areas of a high
altitude would impair the pollution performance. Therefore,
the pollution performance might still be a major influence
condition for the shed profile selection of composite insulators
to be used in the areas of a high altitude. Another constrain for

the shed profile selection, which may only be applicable for
the insulators in parallel construction, is the aerodynamic
property of the insulator under strong wind.
B. The influence of hydrophobicity on the shed profile
selection
Insulators with a good hydrophobicity give better rain and
pollution performance than hydrophilic insulators. However,
the influence of the degree of hydrophobicity on the profile
selection needs to be further studied. The recommendations
given on this Seminar is base on the assumption that the
insulator is able to retain certain degree of hydrophobicity on
its surface during the operation.
C. Recommendations on the decisive parameters of insulator
shed profiles
The recommendation applies to vertically installed silicone-
rubber station insulators of relative large diameters. For the
alternating profile (one large and one small shed, see Fig. 3.)
the recommended parameters are listed below:
Fig. 3. Decisive parameters of the shed profiles for vertically installed
silicone-rubber composite station insulators
1. Spacing between the large sheds: S ≥ 65 mm
2. Ratio between shed overhang and shed spacing:
P/S ≤ 1.25
3. Difference between overhangs of the large and the
small sheds: P-P1 should be larger than that
required for AC insulators (i.e. 15 mm); and it is
recommended to use a larger value e.g. 20 mm or
more.
4. Upper-side inclination angle: α > 10o; under-side
inclination angle: β > 3o. The designer is
recommended neither to use too small β in order
to avoid the backflow of the water drops, nor to
use too large β in order to avoid poor natural
washing effect. Shed profiles with under-rib are
not recommended.
5. For insulators with a shed profile that does not
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fulfill above recommendations, it can still be
adopted if it is proved to have an equally good
performance as those insulators that fulfill the
recommendations in the tests specified below.
D. Test method
The heavy rain test under polluted conditions.
1) Test voltage
It is recommended to use the up-and-down method in order
to obtain a voltage level that corresponding to 50% flashover
probability, U50, and the standard deviation, σ. It is required
that the withstand voltage, defined by U50×(1-3×σ), should be
higher or equal to the maximum rated operational voltage.
For a test object with a reduced size from the real equipment
and with the aim of the test as to verify the shed profile, the
test voltage applied shall be proportional to the real length.
The effect of the difference in insulator length shall be
evaluated in the final evaluation of the test results.
2) Pollution level
The SDD and NSDD levels used in the test shall be that in
the Project Technical Specification. Kieselguhr will be used as
the inert material.
3) Rain intensity and conductivity
Rain intensity: 3-5 mm/min, in 45o.
Conductivity of the water: 100 Ω•m (refer to IEC standard
rain).
4) Test procedure
The pollution should be applied uniformly on insulators.
After pollution application, insulators are allowed to recover
its hydrophobic property for a period of four days.
The insulator to be tested is then installed at the test
position and with the test voltage applied before starting the
rain. The test will continue until a flashover has occurred on
the insulator or the risk of flashover is considered to be
minimal. This can be determined by observing the leakage
current.
V. DISCUSSIONS ON THE TEST METHOD
Some details of the test method were discussed among the
involved experts during and even after the Seminar. Some of
the important issues are briefly introduced below for the
reference of the reader.
The pollution level is proposed on the Seminar as the same
level in each specific Project Specification. Actually, the
highest pollution level and the heavy rain may not appear at
the same time of a year. Therefore, the proposal on the
Seminar may be considered as a conservative approach.
A problem that may occur during the test is the pollution
layer being washed away too quick after starting the rain. In
natural conditions, the pollution accumulation is often a slow
process. The pollution may be better encapsulated by the
silicone rubber surface than that in laboratory. Therefore, it
will probably take a longer time for the pollution to be washed
away in natural conditions. One possible solution is to add
some type of glue in the pollution slurry in order to slow down
the washing process. The possible drawback of adding glue is

that we are not so clear on its interaction with silicone rubber
surface. This is the subject need to be further investigated.
Regarding the pollution distribution, although it is true that
there will be more pollution at the under-side of the insulator
sheds than at the upper-side, a uniform pollution layer will be
easier to achieve in the laboratory. Therefore, uniform
pollution is recommended here.
As to the degree of hydrophobicity recovery that will be
allowed for the test objects, there are also some considerations.
In natural conditions, it is reasonable to expect that the surface
of the insulator will retain or recover to certain degree of
hydrophobic property before rain. Therefore, the test should
also be performed on insulators that have recovered some of
its hydrophobicity after pollution application. However,
different surface materials may recover with different speed
under the same pollution. To allow a full recovery for all
insulators may take a long time, i.e. a few days or even weeks.
This will make the test very time consuming. Certain
compromise is necessary here. Therefore, a period of four days
was recommended on the Seminar based on laboratory
experiences.
The rain conductivity is proposed on the Seminar to be
corresponding to IEC standard. However, it is recognized by
the experts that the rain conductivity is not the most critical
parameter in the test severity. Therefore, water with other
conductivity may also be used as long as the conductivity of
the water is under control.
VI. CONCLUSIONS
Considering the fact that the information available on this
subject is very limited in literature, the recommendations given
from the participants of this Seminar is preliminary. However,
these recommendations represent the common understanding
of the participants at this stage based on the operational
experience and limited test results. The recommendation will
provide a reference position for the utility and manufacturers.
At the same time, the participants encourage and invite
utilities, manufacturers, and research institutes to be active on
the subject of shed profile selection for HVDC composite
station insulators. This subject will be better understood if
more reliable test results will be obtained on both conditions,
i.e., heavy rain under polluted conditions and low air pressure
in combination with pollution flashover.
VII. BIOGRAPHIES
Weimin Ma was born in China in 1966. He received his Ph.D. from Wuhan
Institute of Hydraulic and Electric Engineering. His working experiences
include HVDC, overhead power transmission line design and high voltage
testing. He is main author and contributor to the Technical Specification and
system design of many of the large scale HVDC projects in China, such as
3GC, 3GG and 3GS, etc. In 2000 He became the Chief Engineer of Beijing
Wanglian HVDC Engineering Technology Co. Ltd (BDCC).
Bing Luo was born China in 1966. He received his Ph.D. from Tsinghua
University in 1996. His working experiences include work at Mianyang
Electric Power Supply Bureau and Guangzhou Electric Power Supply Bureau.
In 2005, he joined China Southern Power Grid (CSG) and worked at HVDC
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Department of Technology Research Center (TRC). He is member of Power
Industry HVDC Transmission Technical Committee of China.
Zhiyi Su was born in China in 1946. He has graduated from Beijing Electric
Power Institute in China in 1970. His working experiences include the testing,
research, design consult on operation safety of external insulation of HVAC
and HVDC equipment and transmission line. In 2000, He became the deputy
Chief Engineer of High-voltage Department of China Electric Power
Research Institute (CEPRI). He is the vice Director of Power Industry
Insulator Technical Committee of China. He is also the Secretary-General of
Power Industry HVDC Transmission Technical Committee of China.
Zhenping Dang was born in China in 1966. He received his M.Sc.from
Xi’an Jiaotong University. Since 1988, his research areas have mainly been
materials, production techniques, and test methods of HVAC and HVDC
insulators and bushings. He is now the deputy Chief Engineer of Xian
Electro-Ceramic Research Institute (XECRI) of China. He has been members
of Chinese national standard committee for insulators for three terms from
1995 and contributed to most of the today’s national standards for composite
insulators.
Zhicheng Guan was born in China in 1944. He received his Ph.D. from
Tsinghua University in China in 1984. He has a long working experience and
is active in the area of high voltage technology. He is now the dean of
graduate school at Shenzhen, Tsinghua Unversity, Vice president of Tsinghua
University Council, president of China Electrotechnical Society and vice
president of Chinese Society for Electrical Engineering.
Xidong Liang was born in China in 1962. He received the B.Sc., M.SC., and
Ph.D. degrees from Tsinghua University, Beijing, China, all in high voltage
engineering in 1984, 1987 and 1991, respectively. He did his research in
UMIST, England as a visiting scholar from 1991 to 1992. Then he was
associate professor in Tsinghua University from 1993 and full professor from
1997. He is member of CIGRE SC B2, and member of working groups of IEC
and CIGRÉ dealing with composite insulators. His special fields of interest
include outdoor insulation, composite insulator and its materials.
Dong Wu, was born in China in 1952, He received his Ph.D. form the Royal
Institute of Technology in Sweden in 1985. His working experiences include
R & D activities at China Electric Power Research Institute (CEPRI), research
work at the Royal Institute of Technology and STRI in Sweden in the areas of
high voltage technology and power electronics. In 1998, He joined ABB
HVDC in Sweden. In 2001, He was appointed as Senior Specialist on Electric
Insulation Systems at ABB HVDC in Sweden. He is active in IEC and Cigre
Working Groups on external insulation.
Urban Åström was born in Sweden in 1946. He received his M.Sc. from
University of Uppsala, Sweden in 1973. In 1974 he joined ABB (ASEA)
HVDC in Sweden. His working experiences include R & D and Managing
work on thyristor valve, converter transformer, various HVDC converter
station equipments, and external insulation. He is now project manager for
UHVDC development at ABB HVDC.
Emily-Ying Long was born in China in 1972. She received her B. Sc, M. Sc,
and Ph. D from Tsinghua University, in 1995, 1997, and 2000 respectively,
all in electrical engineering. From 2000 to 2004, she worked as a senior
engineer of HVDC control and protection at Beijing HVDC Engineering
Consultant Company (BDCC), involved in Three Gorges-Changzhou, Three
Gorges-Guangdong, Three Gorges-Shanghai HVDCs and Northwest to
Central China Back to Back Link. She is now with ABB Corporate Research
in China, working in the field of high voltage engineering.
Huigang Sun was born in China in 1976. He received his M.Sc. from Xi' an
Jiaotong University, China in 2002. He began his PhD study in Chongqing
University, China from 2006. In 2002, he joined ABB high voltage factory in
Beijing as a R&D engineer. He began to work in ABB Corporate Research
China from 2005. Now he works mainly in high voltage and insulation field,
and is responsible for several high voltage projects
.