The digital computer in contamination research

An introduction to the general problems associated with the atmospheric and industrial pollution of the overhead insulation of high voltage systems is presented. Special attention is given to the first digital computer study of the voltage and wattage distribution on long, contaminated insulator strings revealing phase distortions. The influence of the electrostatic field parameters upon the testing and performance of contaminated extra high voltage insulation is discussed. The phase-angle distortion of the voltage in the column and the electrical and thermal time constants of the column are introduced. The possible need to control and define the rate of application and removal of the wetting agent, while the column is energized, is suggested for testing procedures.