Abstract:Surface flashover of polluted insulators is threatening the safe and reliable operation of power grid. The research of the contamination deposited characteristic on insulators of transmission line has been the one of the most important works of power grid departments for a long time. Some relevant regulations also provide the natural contamination test methods for insulators. However,the effects of the difference of test procedures on the measurement results have not been discussed yet. Porcelain insulators and composite insulators are adopted as the sample,the different pollution levels are simulated,and the salt deposit density ( SDD) and non - soluble deposit density ( NSDD) are measured using different kinds of test methods. Then the test results of different methods are compared. The research results show that,it is recommended to let the pollution solution stand for 24 hours,use 300 ml deionized water,wrap the pollution by special sampling cloth,and use 6 pieces of clothes for each insulator unit to make sure the accuracy of test data. The proposed research can provide a technical reference for the natural contamination test technology of insulators.