Gilbert's patented shackle ball insulator.

GILBERT'S PATENT SHACKLE BALL INSULATOR.

AT present, when improved insulation is required at terminal poles, the usual custom is to terminate the wires on insulators of the ordinary pattern, though of a stout and special make; this system, whilst electrically right, is mechanically imperfect, as there is great danger of the arm splitting and breaking; and, moreover, the insulator gets pulled over from its vertical position, and looks unsightly.

By adopting the arrangement shown by fig. 1, Mr. Gilbert claims that, for an intermediate station, the cost would be much less than the ordinary Bright's shackle, whilst the superiority of the insulation would be most marked, there being three distinct breaks for the current in place of two. We hear that the idea is being adopted in America.