What can cause arcing and radio interference on distribution lines?

Defective insulators can indeed lead to arcing and radio interference on distribution lines. Insulators are designed to prevent electrical currents from escaping the conductors and to keep lines at the appropriate voltage levels. When an insulator is defective—whether due to physical damage, degradation from environmental factors, or contamination—it may not perform its function effectively. This can result in partial discharges or arcing, where electricity jumps across the compromised insulator to nearby conductive materials. Such arcing can cause both radio frequency interference and power loss, disrupting communication equipment and potentially leading to more significant electrical failures.

The other factors listed, such as solid connections, insulated conductors, and overvoltage conditions, do not typically lead to arcing and radio interference in the same way defective insulators do. Solid connections are intended to enhance electrical flow, insulated conductors are designed to prevent current leakage, and while overvoltage can cause issues, it generally does not specifically result in arcing unless accompanied by other factors that compromise the integrity of the line, such as defective insulators.