The document discusses different types of electrical insulators used in power transmission and distribution systems. It describes pin insulators, which are used for voltages up to 33kV and secure the conductor to the pole. For higher voltages, suspension insulators are used and consist of multiple porcelain discs in series. Strain insulators are used at corners, curves, or dead ends to relieve tension on the line. Shackle insulators are used similarly for lower voltage distribution lines.
2. An electrical insulator is a material whose internal electric
charges do not flow freely, and which therefore does not
conduct an electric current, under the influence of an electric
field.
A perfect insulator does not exist, but some materials such
as glass, paper and Teflon, which have high resistivity, are
very good electrical insulators.
Insulators are used in electrical equipment to support and
separate electrical conductors without allowing current
through themselves.
3. There are several types of insulators but the
most commonly used are :
1) Pin Insulator
2) Suspension Insulator
3) Strain Insulator and
4) Shackle insulator.
5. A pin insulator consists of a nonconducting material such as
porcelain, glass, plastic, polymer, or wood.
As the name suggests, the pin type insulator is secured to the
cross-arm on the pole.
There is a groove on the upper end of the insulator for
housing the conductor.
The conductor passes through this groove and is bound by the
annealed wire of the same material as the conductor.
Pin type insulators are used for transmission and distribution
of electric power at voltages upto 33 kV.
Beyond operating voltage of 33 kV, the pin type insulators
become too bulky and hence uneconomical
8. For high voltages (>33 kV), it is a usual practice to use
suspension type insulators consist of a number of
porcelain discs connected in series by metal links in the
form of a string.
The conductor is suspended at the bottom end of this
string while the other end of the string is secured to the
cross-arm of the tower.
Each unit or disc is designed for low voltage, say 11 kV.
The number of discs in series would obviously depend
upon the working voltage.
For instance, if the working voltage is 66 kV, then six
discs in series will be provided on the string.
11. When there is a dead end of the line or there is corner or
sharp curve, the line is subjected to greater tension.
In order to relieve the line of excessive tension, strain
insulators are used.
For low voltage lines (< 11 kV), shackle insulators are
used as strain insulators.
However, for high voltage transmission lines, strain
insulator consists of an assembly of suspension insulators
as shown in Figure.
The discs of strain insulators are used in the vertical plane.
When the tension in lines is exceedingly high, at long river
spans, two or more strings are used in parallel.
14. In early days, the shackle insulators were used
as strain insulators.
But now a days, they are frequently used for low
voltage distribution lines.
Such insulators can be used either in a
horizontal position or in a vertical position.
They can be directly fixed to the pole with a bolt
or to the cross arm.