HEWLETT: A New Type of Insulator for High-Tension Transmission Lines

A NEW TYPE OF INSULATOR FOR HIGH-TENSION TRANSMISSION LINES

BY E. M. HEWLETT

LINK INSULATORS. SUSPENSION AND STRAIN TYPES

The transmission of large amounts of power over long distances has reached such proportions that the voltage necessary to transmit this energy makes the problem of line insulation difficult. The so-called "pin" type of insulator has been enlarged to meet the greater demands until it has approached, if not already passed, the limits of good construction. Mr. Buck has given this matter a great deal of study in his high-potential transmission work, and, being dissatisfied with the mechanical features of a pin insulator, has devised a method of line construction involving the use of "suspension" and "strain" insulators. The suspension insulators support the line from above, hanging vertically beneath the cross-arm (or other point of suspension). The strain insulators are used at turns and at intervals of, say, every mile, to support and "anchor" the line, also as pull-off insulators on curves and to dead-end lines.

It is intended in this paper to give some mechanical and electrical tests and describe a porcelain insulator which the writer has designed to carry out this method of supporting high-potential transmission lines.

Fig. 1

Fig. 2

Each insulator unit is a flanged , or a petticoated, disc with an enlarged central portion having two interlinked semicircular holes. It is called a "link insulator" because it is used to insulate the interlinked tie-wires. The holes in the insulator are so arranged that the tie-wires which pass through them exert a compression strain on the porcelain (Fig. 4). Should the insulator break, the tie-wire loops would still be intermeshed (Fig. 5), and as the discs are used in series, with a factor of safety, the remaining discs prevent a ground being formed until the break can be repaired. The link insulator for suspension (shown in Fig. 1) is a petticoated disc, while the strain insulator (Fig. 2) is a disc with a grooved flange. The mechanical and electrical features of the two forms of insulators are essentially the same. The petticoats and flanges are so arranged that one side of the insulator is always protected from rain.

Fig. 3

A diameter of 10 in. for both types of insulators has been found by experiment to be most convenient, and such insulators are suitable for a working voltage of 25,000 volts per disc. For higher potentials the discs are placed in series; for instance, four 10-in. discs are suitable for a 100,000 volt line. As the separate discs arc when wet at approximately 65,000 volts, the rated voltage of 25,000 volt is within safe limits. The 10-in. discs were tested for strength and supported a load of three tons.

The insulators described above being made of one piece of porcelain, no cemented fittings or sections are necessary. They are not affected by extreme heat or cold, having stood the test of a severe winter. Tests prove that an insulator with sheltered surfaces stand, a much higher rain test than a much larger insulator which has no dry surface, as for example, a flat disc without the flange or petticoat.

Fig. 4 and Fig. 5

Fig. 3 shows a possible method of line support using ten towers per mile, in which the line is anchored at the end of each mile and at curves, and suspended at intermediate towers. From the cut it will be noted that the conductor is looped around the strain links at the anchorage towers. The use of this type of insulator does away with torsional strain on the cross-arms, giving it a decided advantage over the pin insulator. It is obvious that the link insulator is adaptable to a great variety of conditions.

Fittings have been designed for use with these insulators to fit the conditions thus far presented, but each case should be considered as it comes up, and such fittings designed as are necessary.