Introduction:

For transmission and disturbance overhead

lines, the conductors are supported by insulators
attached to the cross arms fixed on the poles and
towers

The line insulators serve a purpose to insulate

line conductors from each other and from the
supporting structure electrically.
Properties of good insulator:

1. High Permittivity
2. High electrical resistivity
3. High mechanical strength
4. Non-Porous, free from cracks
5. Low leakage current
6. High ratio of puncture strength to flashover
Materials used for insulators:

1. Porcelain
2. Glass
3. Polymer
4. Stealite
Types of insulators:

1. Pin type insulators

2. Suspension type insulators
3. Strain (or tension) type insulators
4. Stay Insulator
5. Shackle Insulator
Pin type insulators:
. Pin type insulators possess several key
components that enable them to perform their
function effectively.
. They feature a metallic pin, usually made of
galvanized steel or non-corrosive materials, which
acts as a conductor for transmitting electrical
energy.
. The pin securely attaches to the insulator body,
typically made of porcelain or composite
materials, providing mechanical support and
electrical insulation.
Pin type insulators:
Pin type insulators:
. The insulator body consists of multiple insulating
units, or sheds, strategically designed to enhance
the insulator’s electrical performance.
. These sheds are arranged in a circular or
petticoat pattern, maximizing surface distance and
minimizing the risk of electrical discharge or
arcing.
. Additionally, the insulator is equipped with a
base, often made of cement or resin, to provide
mechanical stability and facilitate installation on
the supporting structure.
Pin type insulators-Working Principle:
. The primary function of pin type insulators is to
prevent electrical current from flowing through
the supporting structure and divert it safely to the
ground.
. This is achieved through the insulating properties
of the porcelain or composite material used in
their construction.
. These materials have high resistance to
electricity, effectively isolating the conductive pin
from the supporting structure.
Pin type insulators-Working Principle:
. When the pin type insulator is installed on a
tower or pole, the electrical current flows through
the conductor (the metallic pin) and reaches the
insulator body.
. The insulating material resists the flow of current,
ensuring that it cannot pass through to the
supporting structure.
. Instead, the current is diverted along the pin and
safely grounded, preventing any damage or
electrical hazards.
Pin type insulators-Voltage ratings:
. Pin type insulators are available in a wide range
of voltage ratings to accommodate various
transmission system requirements.
. They can withstand low, medium, or high voltage
levels, typically ranging from a few hundred volts
to several hundred kilovolts.
. Commonly used for power distribution systems
with voltages up to 33kV.
Pin type insulators- Applications-1:
. Pin type insulators are widely used in various
electrical transmission systems, ranging from low
voltage distribution lines to high voltage
transmission lines.
. They find application in both overhead line
networks and substations.
. The choice of insulator depends on the voltage
level, environmental conditions, and mechanical
requirements of the specific application.
Pin type insulators- Applications-2:
. Pin type insulators are particularly suited for
medium and high voltage lines, where they offer
excellent electrical insulation and mechanical
strength.
. They are commonly found in power distribution
networks, connecting transformers, and
transmission lines to residential and industrial
areas.
Pin type insulators- Applications-3:
. Moreover, pin type insulators are extensively
used in substation equipment such as circuit
breakers, isolators, and busbars, ensuring the safe
and reliable operation of these critical
components.
POST INSULATOR
. Post insulators are similar to Pin insulators, but
post insulators are more suitable for higher voltage
applications.

. Post insulators have a higher number of

petticoats and a greated height compared to pin
insulators. We can mount this type of insulator on
supporting structure horizontally as well as
vertically. The insulator is made of one piece of
porcelain and it has clamp arrangement are in
both top and bottom end for fixing.
SL Pin Insulator Post Insulator

It is generally used up to 33KV It is suitable for lower voltage and also for
1
system higher voltage

2 It is single stag It can be single stag as well as multiple stags

Conductor is fixed on the top of the Conductor is fixed on the top of the insulator
3
insulator by binding with help of connector clamp

Two insulators cannot be fixed Two or more insulators can be fixed together
4 together for higher voltage one above other for higher voltage
application application

Metallic fixing arrangement provided Metallic fixing arrangement provided on both

4
only on bottom end of the insulator top and bottom ends of the insulator
SUSPENSION TYPE INSULATOR
. In higher voltage, beyond 33KV, it becomes
uneconomical to use pin insulator because size,
weight of the insulator become more.
. Handling and replacing bigger size single unit
insulator are quite difficult task. For overcoming
these difficulties, suspension insulator was
developed.
. In suspension insulator numbers of insulators are
connected in series to form a string and the line
conductor is carried by the bottom most insulator.
. Each insulator of a suspension string is called disc
insulator because of their disc like shape.
Advantages of Suspension type insulator
. Each suspension disc is designed for normal
voltage rating 11KV (Higher voltage rating 15KV),
so by using different numbers of discs, a
suspension string can be made suitable for any
voltage level.

. If any one of the disc insulators in a suspension

string is damaged, it can be replaced much easily.
Advantages of Suspension type insulator
. Mechanical stresses on the suspension insulator
is less since the line hanged on a flexible
suspension string.
. As the current carrying conductors are suspended
from supporting structure by suspension string,
the height of the conductor position is always less
than the total height of the supporting structure.

Therefore, the conductors may be safe

from lightening.
Disadvantages of Suspension type insulator
. Suspension insulator string costlier than pin and
post type insulator.
. Suspension string requires more height of
supporting structure than that for pin or post
insulator to maintain same ground clearance of
current conductor.
. The amplitude of free swing of conductors is
larger in suspension insulator system, hence, more
spacing between conductors should be provided.
Strain type insulator
. When suspension string is used to sustain
extraordinary tensile load of conductor it is
referred as string insulator.
. When there is a dead end or there is a sharp
corner in transmission line, the line has to sustain
a great tensile load of conductor or strain.
. A strain insulator must have considerable
mechanical strength as well as the necessary
electrical insulating properties.
Rated Number of disc insulator Number of disc insulator
System used in strain type tension used in suspension
Voltage insulator string insulator string

33KV 3 3

66KV 5 4

132KV 9 8

220KV 15 14
Stay type insulator
. For low voltage lines, the stays are to be insulated
from ground at a height.
. The insulator used in the stay wire is called as the
stay insulator and is usually of porcelain and is so
designed that in case of breakage of the insulator
the guy-wire will not fall to the ground.
Shackle type insulator
. The shackle insulator (also known as a spool
insulator) is usually used in low voltage
distribution network.
. It can be used in both the horizontal or vertical
positions.
. The use of such insulator has decreased recently
after increasing the using of underground cable for
distribution purpose.
Shackle type insulator
. The tapered hole of the spool insulator
distributes the load more evenly and minimizes
the possibility of breakage when heavily loaded.

. The conductor in the groove of shackle insulator

is fixed with the help of soft binding wire.