Sister Unit of Failed Bushing
The bright particle in the upper left is an ammonium
nitrate crystal. The parallelepipeds are gypsum crystals.
The form of the gypsum crystals indicates that they have gone into solution and then
recrystalized on the surface. This is from a tapelift of
the surface.
Transmitted Off Crossed Circular Polarized Light
Definition/Function:
The particles on the surface of this bushing showed high concentration of weld debris
along with nitrates and gypsum. The nitrates deliquesced
at 48% relative humidity. This is consistent with ammonium nitrate, a fertilizer and an
areosol common near heavily traveled roads. The
flashover occured in the morning and was the result of the combination of the weld
residue and the electrolyte. Bushings away from the welding
activity were not failing.
Significance in the Environment:
Characteristic Features:
Associated Particles:
References:
