Study of the influence of climatic factors for pin insulators with rfid indicators

The work relates to the application of a new method of noncontact RFID monitoring of the condition of insulators for overhead power lines, including signaling, centralizing, blocking, and longitudinal power supply lines . A significant number of accidents occur due to the breakdown of insulators and imperfection of control methods. It is proposed to use a non-contact RFID control system for overhead power line insulators, which consists of a reader with a transceiver and an antenna, standard insulators with RFID indicators and special software. The aim of the research is the influence of climatic factors on the components and assembly structures of pin insulators with RFID indicators and the operation of the RFID control system in general. The selected study samples are a radio frequency tag, an aluminum-coated plastic cap with an integrated tag, and a pin-shaped porcelain insulator with an RFID indicator in the assembly. The climatic tests were carried out in the testing center of technical means of railway transport of the Ural State University of Railway Transport (IC TSZHT USUPS). Temperature changes were simulated from -60 to +50 ° С with air humidity up to 93%. The results on the adhesive properties and electrical conductivity of a conductive coating on a polyethylene surface and the stability of the functioning of RFID tags are presented and analyzed. Suggestions for improving the components and assembly design are given. Firstly, to use a screw thread on the top of the pin instead of a special knurling, which will reduce mechanical stress during installation of the structure of individual components and will reduce the error in the installation dimensions to improve the reception and transmission of signals between the reader and the tag. Secondly, sandblasting of the surface of the polyethylene cap can improve the adhesion of the surface to the conductive coating, which will increase the electrical conductivity of the structure. The result of this work proves that the developed RFID control system of insulators functions in the climatic conditions specified by GOST, which allows to recommend its implementation in the lines ts use in lines of devices with a voltage of 6-10 and 35 kV.