By Trevor Lord and Graham Hodge (Issue 1 and 2) Updated by Trevor Lord 2023 Lord Consulting
Corona activity on or near MV/HV insulators and lines has now been recognised as one of the single most destructive mechanisms faced by the Power Industry, demanding a suitable understanding and response.
Corona imaging, via Corona Camera technology, creates an electronic image of corona discharge activity using UV light generated by the impact of excessive electric field stress on air. The technology has proven itself to be extremely useful. It is now a ‘best practice,’ commissioning, management, and diagnostic tool for network operators concerned with optimising the life and operational reliability of their MV/HV insulation system components.
This paper examines the nature of the corona mechanism, its adverse impact on MV/HV insulator and line assets, the current state of corona discharge imaging technologies for high voltage electrical power networks, and the application of such technologies toward mitigating the challenges caused by corona activity.