Research project of the “SYNERGASIA 2011”  Action (11ΣΥΝ-7-1503 ), co-funded by Greece and the European Regional Development Fund of the European Union in the framework of NSRF 2007-2013 (Sectoral Operational Program: Competitiveness and Entrepreneurship) and the Regional Operational Programs: ROP Crete and the Aegean Islands and POP Attica).

Long-lasting exposure of high voltage (HV) composite insulators to unfavorable environmental conditions, such as pollution, is possible to lead to their gradual ageing resulting in the weakening of their unique properties (e.g. hydrophobicity and   high heat resistance). Timely prevention of possibleirreversible damage of the electricity distribution network requires the development of  non-destructive diagnostic techniques for the inspection of the insulators performance on real-time and without demanding interruption of the network operation.

The main goal of the project is the development and implementation of a remote and real-time optical diagnostic technique for the evaluation of the functionality of polymer-based outdoor insulators used in HV applications.

The research is focused on the investigation of the performance of polymer based outdoor insulators used in high voltage applications under the climatic conditions of Greece and of the Mediterranean countries in general. The efficiency and reliability of various spectroscopic techniques (LIF, Raman, LIBS, FTIR-ATR) in the diagnosis of the physical condition and functionality of the insulators is under study.