Positron 3782091C/50 User manual

i
Positron Composite Insulator Tester
With Instant GO/NOGO Graphical Capability
Model # 3782091C/50 & 3782091C/60
For Composite (Polymeric) Insulators
User Manual
Description and Operation Guide
Disclaimer Notice: Although Positron Inc. has made every effort to ensure the accuracy of
the information contained herein, this document is subject to change.

CAUTION
IMPORTANT SAFETY NOTICE
This instrument is intended to be used in high voltage environments.
It should be used ONLY by personnel trained to work in those environments.
Although this instrument does not make electrical contact with the high voltages,
IT IS ESSENTIAL THAT THIS INSTRUMENT IS USED COUPLED WITH A SUITABLE
HIGH DIELECTRIC STRENGTH HOT STICK THAT HAS A VOLTAGE RATING
EQUIVALENT TO OR GREATER THAN THE VOLTAGE ON THE DEVICES OR LINES
BEING TESTED.
NOTE
To be used on AC lines only

Contents
ii
Contents
1.0 General Information ...................................................................................................3
1.1 Publication Information....................................................................................................... 3
1.2 About this Guide ................................................................................................................. 3
1.3 How to use this Guide ......................................................................................................... 4
1.4 List of Associated References .............................................................................................. 4
2.0 Introduction to the Composite Insulator Testers..........................................................7
2.1 Personnel Terminology Used in this Guide .......................................................................... 7
2.2 General................................................................................................................................ 7
2.3 Overview ............................................................................................................................ 8
2.4 Composite Insulator Tester Model Numbers ....................................................................... 8
3.0 Description of Composite (Polymeric) Insulator Testers Kit ........................................13
3.1 The Composite Tester Kit................................................................................................... 13
3.2 Tester Charger................................................................................................................... 14
3.3 Insulator Tester Sled.......................................................................................................... 14
3.4 Sled Adjustments .............................................................................................................. 15
3.5 Placement of Probe on the Insulator Sled.......................................................................... 15
3.6 Tablet/Laptop.................................................................................................................... 16
3.6.1 General ............................................................................................................................. 16
3.6.2 Separating the Tablet while in the Field ............................................................................ 16
4.0 Windows-based Insulator Tester Software.................................................................21
4.1 Insulator Tester Software Description ............................................................................... 21
4.2 The Bluetooth Serial Adaptor ............................................................................................ 22
4.3 Instant Graphical GO/NO-GO Reporting Capability ........................................................... 22
5.0 Using the Composite Insulator Tester & Software......................................................25
5.1 BEFORE Testing Sessions ................................................................................................... 25
5.1.1 Select the Default Folder................................................................................................... 25
5.1.2 Changing the Folder .......................................................................................................... 26
5.1.3 Create a List of Insulator Identifications............................................................................ 26
5.1.4 Verifying Communication Before a Testing Session........................................................... 28
5.1.5 Switching the Probe On..................................................................................................... 28
5.1.5.1 Power-On Self-Test (POST) of the Probe ........................................................................28
5.1.6 Check Long-Range Bluetooth Serial Port Communication ................................................. 30
5.1.7 Get Revision of the Probe (Firmware) ............................................................................... 32
5.2 DURING Testing Sessions................................................................................................... 33
5.2.1 Scanning an Insulator........................................................................................................ 35
5.2.1.1 Performing a “V” Scan or Horizontal scan ......................................................................35
5.2.1.2 Performing a Vertical Scan..............................................................................................35
5.2.2 Downloading Data ............................................................................................................ 36
5.3 Using the Tester without the Tablet and Bluetooth........................................................... 41

Contents
iii
5.4 AFTER Testing Sessions...................................................................................................... 43
5.4.1 Displaying Graphs ............................................................................................................. 43
5.4.2 Searching the Database..................................................................................................... 43
5.5 Important General Notes................................................................................................... 44
6.0 Interpreting Graphic Results......................................................................................47
6.1 Understanding the Graphic ............................................................................................... 47
6.2 Linear and Logarithmic Graphic Options............................................................................ 47
6.3 Composite Insulator Tester Results: Healthy Insulators..................................................... 49
6.4 Composite Insulator Tester Results: Unhealthy Insulators................................................. 50
6.5 Comparing Historical Graphs ............................................................................................. 50
7.0 Specifications............................................................................................................55
8.0 Recommended Practices ...........................................................................................59
8.1 Horizontal and V Scan of a Composite insulator ................................................................ 59
8.2 Vertical Scan of a Composite Insulator (Preferred Method)............................................... 60
8.3 Vertical Scan of a Composite Insulator (Alternate method)............................................... 61
9.0 Important Information..............................................................................................65
9.1 Service and Support .......................................................................................................... 65
9.2 Technical Customer Support.............................................................................................. 65
9.3 Customer Training ............................................................................................................. 65
9.4 Repair Service.................................................................................................................... 65
9.5 Warranty........................................................................................................................... 66
9.6 Limitation of Liability......................................................................................................... 66
9.7 Disclaimer Notice .............................................................................................................. 67
9.8 Cancellation and Rescheduling Charges............................................................................. 67

1
Chapter 1
General Information

General Information
2

General Information
3
1.0 General Information
1.1 Publication Information
© 2020 Positron Inc.
Positron Composite Insulator Testers
Description and Operation Guide
User Manual Part #: 925W378209-10E
Publication date: May 2020
Published By
Positron Inc.
5101 Buchan Street, suite 220
Montréal, Québec
H4P 2R9 Canada
Trademarks
Positron Insulator Tester is a trademark of Positron Inc.
The Insulator Testers are manufactured by Positron Inc. in Montreal, Canada. The Positron
Insulator Testers is protected by US patents including “METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR THE
VERIFICATION OF AN ELECTRICAL INSULATOR DEVICE BASED ON THE ANALYSIS OF THE
ELECTRICAL FIELD ALONG THE INSULATOR”.
Product names, other than Positron’s, mentioned herein may be trademarks and/or registered
trademarks of their respective companies.
Confidentiality Notice
The information contained in this document is the property of Positron Inc. Except as specifically
authorized in writing by Positron Inc., the holder of this document:
1) shall keep all information contained herein confidential and shall protect same in whole or
in part from the disclosure and dissemination to all third parties, and
2) shall use same for operating and maintenance purposes only.
1.2 About this Guide
This guide introduces you to and describes the operation of Positron’s Live Line High Voltage
Tester used as a maintenance tool to test and report defects in Composite Insulators and for use
as a safety tool to determine the condition of high-voltage insulators prior to beginning Live-
Power Line work.

General Information
4
1.3 How to use this Guide
This guide was designed to describe the operational modes of the Composite Insulator Testers:
The reader is invited to use the digital (PDF) version of this document to allow searching by
keywords. Select Edit, then Find from the pull-down menu, or select Ctrl+F to access the Find
menu.
1.4 List of Associated References
[1] “Suspension Insulator Puncture Insulator Tester”; Report No. ELE 92-62; Bonneville Power Administration Division of Laboratories;
December 7, 1992.
[2] G.H. Vaillancourt, J.P. Bellerive, M. St-Jean, C. Jean, “New Live Line Insulator Tester for Porcelain Insulators on High-Voltage Power
Line,” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Vol. 9, January 1994, pp. 208-219.
[3] “J.C. Pohlman, C.R. Davis, “Cracked Insulators Create Hazardous Working Conditions During Restoration after Extreme Ice Storms,”
Proceedings of ESMO-95, Columbus, Ohio, USA, October 29 - November 3, 1995, IEEE Paper 95CH35755.
[4] A.S. Jagtiani, J.R. Booker, “Aging of Porcelain Insulators Under Mechanical and Electrical Stress on EHV AC Lines,” Proceedings of
ESMO-95, Columbus, Ohio, USA, October 29 - November 3, 1995, IEEE Paper ESMO 95-CP-08.
[5] G. H. Vaillancourt, M. Hamel, J. Frate, “Experience with Two Faulty Composite Insulators Detection Methods in Hydro-Quebec,”
Conference Proceedings of 10th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, Montreal, Canada, August 25-29, 1997.
[6] G. H. Vaillancourt, P. Bilodeau, “Diagnostic Testing of Composite Insulators Used on Series Compensation Platforms in Hydro-
Quebec,” Conference Proceedings of 11th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, London, England, August 22-27,
1999.
[7] G. H. Vaillancourt, S. Carignan, C. Jean, “Experience with the detection of faulty composite insulators on High-Voltage power lines
by the E-field measurement method,” IEEE Transactions on Power Delivery, Val. 13, No. 2, April 1998, pp 661-666.
[8] Y.C. Chen, C. R. Li, X. Liang, S. Wang, “The Influence of Water and Pollution on Diagnosing Defective Composite Insulators by E-field
Mapping,” Conference Proceedings of 11th International Symposium on High Voltage Engineering, London, England, August 22-27,
1999.
[9] D. H. Shaffner, D. L. Ruff, G. H. Vaillancourt, “Experience with a Composite Insulator Testing Instrument based on the Electric Field
method” ESMO 2000, Montreal, Canada, October 8-12, 2000.
[10] L. J. Fernandez, J. M. Munoz, A. Andrés, "Electric field measurement on composite insulators using live working techniques", 5th
International Conference on Live Maintenance, ICOLIM 2000, Madrid, Spain, May 17-19, 2000.
[11] I. Gutman (SE), A. Pigini (IT) et al. "Assessment of Composite Insulators by means of Online Diagnosis", CIGRE WG B2.21 2013.
[12] C. Jean, "High Voltage Insulator Testing based on Electric Field method" 2015 INMR World Congress Conference, Munich,
Germany, September 2015.
[13] M. de Nigris, F. Tavano, F.Zagliani CESI R.Rendina ENEL Spa, “Diagnostic Methods of Non-Ceramic Insulators for H.V. Lines”.