Optimization of ZnO Microvairstor Layers in Arrester's Housing in order to Uniform Electric Field Distribution

The size and shape of the arrester housing have a significant influence on the electric field distribution. Therefore, it is possible to uniform the field distribution and improve the stresses across the regions of high field density, i.e. the vicinity of the arrester’s terminals, if the shape of the insulating sheds were optimized. As an alternative to reduce the intensity of the electric field, it is possible to use a thin layer of ZnO microvaristor that is mixed with the polymer housing of the arrester. In this paper the effect of ZnO microvaristor in electric field distribution has been investigated and its proper location along the axis of arrester’s housing is determined. Thereafter, by means of swarm optimization algorithm (PSO), the effect of the optimal layer of such ZnO microvaristor on the electric field has been studied.