This paper presents a future-proof switching procedure for the switching of increasing electrostatic (e.s.) and electromagnetic (e.m.) induced currents with a line side earthing switch. The induced currents are becoming much higher than stated by IEC-standards due to increasing line current and the use of combined (un-transposed) overhead lines. Notorious are overhead lines with different voltage levels combined at single pylons. This adapted switching procedure becomes even more important due to the increasing amount of Gas Insulated Switchgear (GIS) being introduced in the grid.

Due to climate change more power converters are installed in the grid resulting in the injection of (supra-) harmonic currents and voltages in the grid. As part of a larger research, the impact of harmonic frequencies on insulation materials is studied. This paper discusses the results of breakdown voltage tests of synthetic ester liquid with varying frequency and electrode distance. A test cell according to IEC 60156 is used with electrode distance varying from 0.5 mm to 0.1 mm and the frequency is varied from 50 Hz to 2000 Hz. The results indicate a dependency on both electrode distance and fundamental frequency.