Durability forecast of long rod composite insulators operating under variable mechanical loading conditions

Suspension line insulators are during their operation subject to static forces and variable loads, usually of a cyclic character. These variable loads have a significant impact on the mechanical durability of composite insulators. A method of providing durability forecast for composite line insulators based on fatigue characteristics has been proposed. The method allows providing durability forecast of insulators in a wide range of variable loadings, i.e. from quasi-static to high amplitude loadings.