Fred Locke porcelain and glass insulator for 60,000 volts

Line Insulator for 60,000 Volts

In high-voltage power transmission the thorough insulation of the line is of the greatest importance. A new type of insulator has just been brought out by Fred M. Locke of Victory, N. Y. It is shown in the accompanying illustration, and is especially designed for 60,000 volts actual line pressure, and will, it is said, carry 81,000 volts in severe rainstorms without leakage. It is also said to be able to carry 100,000 volts without arcing.

As will be noted from the illustration, this insulator has a porcelain pin base, with a specially prepared quality of carefully annealed glass at the screw, thereby rendering it mechanically strong and enabling it to withstand the highest voltages.

The upper part of the insulator is of vitrified china. The body and glaze are of simple earths, only fused together into a vitreous, homogeneous mass at great heat. No lead or other metallic oxide being used in the making, the glaze is not in anyway a conductor. The body, being of exactly the same material and fired at the same heat as the glaze, has as high insulating qualities without as with the glaze.

It is asserted that the insulators will not craze or crack on the surface, or "leak" when subjected to varying temperature, which is of special importance. Heat, cold, dampness, acids and alkalies cannot, it is said, act to disintegrate the ware or otherwise affect injuriously the properties of the insulator.