Updates & Events

Info for members about events, updates, and results

Performance of polymer bushings under extreme environmental conditions

The three ABB RIS bushings installed in the 138 kV Research Substation have been energized for over 5 years and subjected various harsh environmental and loading conditions following a well-defined test plan. There is still no evidence of deterioration of the bushings based on the off-line testing or the bushing monitoring system.
The next offline testing of hydrophobicity, power factor and dielectric frequency is scheduled for 2Q 2024.
Given the long-term nature of the testing in the 138kV Research Substation, a number of efforts aimed to generate near term insight and information are contemplated. These include data collection efforts, to leverage the collective experience of all project funders, as well as more targeted experimental efforts to understand specific aspects of polymer bushing performance, such as sensitivity to overload.
A new aging chamber for accelerated bushing testing has been constructed. This chamber will give the ability to test 34.5 kV and 69 kV bushing in various voltage, current and ambient/ humidity conditions.

Guidelines on specification and maintenance of polymer bushings

This document presently contains the best information available to the industry at this time. The 2023 revision of this document included some material on the load capability of polymer bushings for the first time. Contemplated research for 2024 may add some experimental insights to this important topic.

Meeting	Date	Location	Information
EPRI Kick Off Webcast: P37.101 Transformer Life Management & P37.113 Polymer	February 8 11:00 am - 12:00 pm ET	Webcast	Meeting Materials
Transformer Life Management & Bushings Task Force	February 19-22 (In-person) February 26-29 (Virtual)	Charlotte, NC	Meeting Materials
Substations 2025 ARP Rollout #1	June 25 10:00 am - 11:30 am ET	Webcast	Meeting Materials
EPRI R&D Project Update: P37.101 Transformer Life Management & P37.113	July 16 11:00 am - 12:00 pm ET	Webcast	Meeting Materials
Substations 2025 ARP Rollout #2	August 6 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET	Webcast	Meeting Materials
Transformer Life Management & Bushings Task Force	August 19-22 (In-person) August 26-29 (Virtual)	Charlotte, NC	Meeting Materials
EPRI Substations (Program 37) New Supplemental Launch Webcast	October 10, 1:00pm - 2:00pm ET	Webcast	Meeting Materials
EPRI End of Year Webcast: P37.101 Transformer Life Management & P37.113 Polymer Bushings Life Management	December 12 11:00am - 12:00 pm ET	Webcast	Meeting Materials
EPRI Kick Off Webcast: Transformer Life Management & Polymer Bushing Life Management	February 7 11:00am - 12:00pm ET	Webcast	Webcast Information
Transformer Life Management & Bushings Task Force - March 2025	March 10-13 (In-person)/ March 17-20 (Virtual)	Charlotte, NC	Register Here

Deliverable	Date
Performance of Polymer Bushings Under Extreme Environmental Conditions – Technical Update Report documenting 2024 test results of polymer bushings tested in the 138-kV research substation in Lenox, Massachusetts	December 31, 2025
Guidelines on Specification and Maintenance of Polymer Bushings – Technical Update Report documenting industry guidance and best practices on applications, operation, and diagnostics of polymer bushings	December 31, 2025

Product ID	Title	Product Type
3002027124	Guidelines on Specification and Maintenance of Polymer Bushings – 2023 Update	Technical Update
3002027125	Performance of Dry Bushings Under Extreme Environmental Conditions: 2023 Update	Technical Update