Investigation of electrical behavior of silicone insulators bycomparative tracking index method

This study focuses on the evaluation of carbonization, tracking, and short-circuit behaviors in silicone insulators used in high-voltage cables. Silicone materials are widely chosen for their electrical insulation properties and thermal stability in high-voltage applications. However, under operational conditions, carbonization and tracking may negatively impact the long-term performance of these materials. The primary objective of this study is to demonstrate the applicability of the Wavelet Transform-based Time-Reassigned Multisynchrosqueezing Transform (WTMSST) method in analyzing the behavior of electrical insulation materials. The experiments were conducted following IEC and ASTM standards at the Istanbul University-Cerrahpaşa High Voltage Laboratory. Carbonization tracks and short-circuit occurrences resulting from water droplets applied for durations of 10, 20, and 30 seconds at 500 and 600 voltages were analyzed using the WTMSST method. The MATLAB software was used for detailed analysis, specifically extracting 0.2-second segments of carbonization tracks and short-circuit events. The WTMSST method, which bases its analysis on group delay in the time-frequency domain of transient signals, provides a precise characterization of harmonic components. The results offer a detailed analysis of harmonic distortions under different voltage and water application conditions, contributing to a better understanding of silicone insulation materials' performance. The aim of this research is to explore how the WTMSST method can be applied practically to enhance the reliability and performance of silicone insulation materials in engineering applications. Consequently, this study represents a significant scientific contribution to the field of electrical insulation materials.