Seventeen research projects including 04 sponsored, 02 capital and 11 internal projects were completed during the year. Brief summary of the work done in some of the major projects are given below: 

4.1   Project No: SP 040-064

“Development of Indigenous Composite Long Rod Insulator for High Voltage Transmission”
(Sponsored by Department of Science & Technology, Govt. of India, New Delhi) 

Overhead lines do the bulk of power delivery from the generating sites to the load centres.  The distances involved could run in to several thousand kilometers.  In order to minimize line losses, power transmission over such long distances is more often done at higher voltages (several hundred kV) than at lower voltages.  A network of outdoor lines operating at different voltages has been found to be the most economical method of power delivery. 

The energized high voltage line conductor is physically attached to the support structure (The tower) using insulators.  The insulators used for high voltage transmission almost always work in outdoor environment and their life and performance are hence greatly influenced by the environment.  Generally, outdoor insulators are subjected to a variety of stresses including mechanical, electrical and environmental stresses.  These stresses are acting in unison.  The exact nature and magnitude of these stresses vary significantly and depend on the details of insulator design, application and location.

With the ever-increasing demand for power higher voltages are required to the transmitted through the existing lines and hence the electrical insulation required in terms of creepage has also changed drastically.  It is not possible to increase the creeepage by increasing the number of porcelain insulators in the string as it leads to increase weight and less ground to line clearance.  However, advances in polymer science have brought about revolutionary changes in materials science and new polymeric materials have become available to the engineers for making insulators. As a result, a new class of insulators known as Non-ceramic insulators or simply composite long rod insulators came in to the market.  These insulators have been widely accepted all over the world and in India too these insulators are finding acceptance a few manufacturers have started manufacturing these insulators in India.  While they are expensive, the advantages are glaring.  High strength to weight ratio, proven hydrophobicity, good outdoor performance and ease of installation are some of the major advantages. 

In this project, 66 kV suspension type insulator has been developed using indigenously available materials and field-tried.  A new silicone rubber compound with improved tear resistance properties has also been developed.  Results of field trials and land simulated studies suggest good performance of the composite insulators.  The technology of the new compound is available for commercialization. 

4.2   Project No: SP 040-086 

“Study on the Pollution Problem in Suspension Type Porcelain Insulators”
(Sponsored by Insulator Division, IEEMA) 

Surface contamination on porcelain insulators especially those installed close to chemical industries and coastal areas is a known problem and it causes severe problem in power transmission.  This study was undertaken with financial support and coordination with participating industries arranged by Insulator Division of IEEMA.  The aim of this work has been to carry out a study on this problem with particular thrust on determining the type of pollutants that actually get deposited on insulators in the field in typical areas.  Special attention has been given to correlate the results with material used in artificial pollution tests carried out at present.  In this study efforts have made to address all the technical points raised by IEEMA regarding the pollution problem.  It is hoped that this study will help insulator manufacturers as well as power transmission companies and electricity boards in minimizing the problems caused by pollution. 

4.3   Project No. SP 012-113

“Device for Tamper Immunity Testing of Static Energy Meters against High Voltage and High Frequency Signals…”
(Sponsored by: Genus Power Infrastructures Ltd., Jaipur) 

Instances have been reported where efforts were made to tamper energy meters by applying disturbing signals using automobile ignition coil on installed energy meters.  With the application of spark on the meter, its display either becomes blank or gets hanged and sometimes the meter becomes totally damaged.  In certain cases it might restore its normal operating condition only when there is ‘POWER ON/OFF’/ ‘RESET’. 

A present, it is not possible to test immunity of energy meters for such tampering.  As a research project sponsored to ERDA by industry, a device has been developed by ERDA. “Tamper Device generating High Voltage and high Frequency Signals for Static Energy meters”.  This device can be used for testing static energy meters for their immunity to high voltage, high frequency disturbing signals.  The same ignition coil has been used in the device which is used in automobiles for generation of the spark required to ignite the gasoline-air mixture. 

The device developed by ERDA can be used for checking the performance of energy meters in the laboratories for their immunity to tampering.  It is hoped that it will be beneficial to the utilities for facilitating revenue protection and in turn to make the power distribution companies financially viable.