Abstract:  In this paper, an algorithm based on edge detection for icing detection of insulator was proposed. It took full advantage of the edge detection algorithm and other image processing method to make more specific and accurate detection of icing insulator. Also, it introduced the camera calibration to estimate the length and thickness of swing ice on the side of insulators. What’s more, when the settled angle of camera shifted due to some outside force or other reason, this algorithm was able to revise the camera calibration parameters in time and use them to estimate the length and thickness of ice again. The experimental results show that the detection of icing insulator edge is pretty good and the estimation of the length and thickness of ice is accurate, which definitely meet the requirement of real-time monitoring and early warnings.
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Key words:  icing detection, insulator, surveillance image, thickness estimation, camera calibration