How to diagnose the condition of a composite insulator on a power line?

Unlike glass insulators, a defect in a composite insulator is not necessarily detectable to the naked eye. The SERECT laboratory was mobilized for two weeks to compare the different methods used worldwide to address this issue. Thus, on real or simulated defects, electric field measurement probes and UV, infrared, and acoustic cameras were tested.

The analysis of all the results should allow us to determine the right combination of methods to assess the condition of an insulator on the power grid