Study on the Coupled Effects of High‐Speed Airflow and Charged Sand on Power‐Frequency Discharge Characteristics of Conductor–Tower Gaps in Strong Wind–Sand Environments

Strong wind–sand weather in Xinjiang threatens power grid safety by increasing transmission line tripping risks. Existing studies focus on sand polarization but neglect the coupled influence of high‐speed airflow and charged sand on gap discharge characteristics. Based on field investigations of key parameters, such as sand particle size, charge‐to‐mass ratio, wind speed in Xinjiang's severe wind–sand environments and the theory of saturated charge, this study calculates the charge of sand particles under these conditions. A simulation device was constructed to replicate the strong wind–sand environment, incorporating critical parameters such as sand particle size, concentration, charge‐to‐mass ratio and wind speed. The influence of sand charge‐to‐mass ratio, concentration and particle size on power‐frequency discharge voltage under varying wind speeds was investigated through power‐frequency discharge experiments on conductor–tower gaps in the Turpan region of Xinjiang. The results indicate that when the wind direction aligns with the discharge channel, charged sand further reduces the power‐frequency discharge voltage under high‐speed airflow conditions. Furthermore, increases in the charge‐to‐mass ratio, particle size and concentration all contribute to a reduction in discharge voltage. This study elucidates the mechanism by which charged sand influences the discharge characteristics of transmission line gaps in severe wind–sand environments.