Insulators used in overhead transmission lines are continuously exposed to a number of mechanical and electrical stresses owing to external environmental factors, resulting in corrosion, reduction in durability, and deterioration. Widely used porcelain insulators are fabricated with cement and porcelain and are especially common in Korea. Changes in the hardness and chemical reactivity of the cement increase the leakage and fault currents and increase the possibility of flashover due to insulation breakdown. Therefore, it is important to evaluate the durability and defects of porcelain insulators. Studies on the reliability of various evaluation methods are needed to prevent accidents by accurately determining the replacement timing and potential defects in porcelain insulators. In this study, the hardness of the cement part of the porcelain insulator was measured using the Vickers hardness test and its composition was analyzed by energy dispersive spectroscopy and X-ray diffraction analysis. The performance of the insulators was compared in two different regions with varying climatic conditions. This study presents an evaluation method of the defects in porcelain insulators by measuring humidity, which can also be used to assess the reliability of the insulators.
