Re: Power Line Insulators

[brian whatcott <inet@INTELLISYS.NET>]

At 14:21 4/10/00 -0500, you wrote:
> I've been watching new power poles go up around our campus and it
> occurred to me that the insulators that hold the wires always have the
> same basic shape:  what appears to be ceramic "disks" stacked together.
> I've tried to think through why this shape is important, but so far I've
> come up empty.  Does it perhaps have to do with moisture shedding?  An
> increased surface area would get rid of heat more efficiently, but these
> insulators shouldn't get that hot anyway, right?
>
> I'm likely missing something really simple, but I'd appreciate it if
> anyone out there knows the answer, please give me a clue.
>
> Thanks.
>
> --
> Van E. Neie

Line insulators get dirty, and particularly when damp,
leak noisily. A design that maximizes line to ground length
reduces total leakage by that fact, and also by providing
a sheltered underside that's a little drier and cleaner.


brian whatcott <inet@intellisys.net>
Altus OK