Since the 1960s, polymeric insulators have been used in transmission equipment in addition to conventional ceramic or glass insulators. Today though, the usage of polymeric insulators has greatly expanded and they are used at almost all voltage levels. They are also known as composite insulators.

The properties of polymeric insulators
Polymeric insulators were originally used in areas with high pollution, high risk of vandalism and in urban areas. Such as composite suspension insulator can be divided into common suspension insulator and anti-pollution suspension insulators.

Some of the advantages of polymeric insulators are
• They are hydrophobic and do not allow the accumulation of water on their surface, thus preventing surface currents and flashovers.
• Their light weight enables easy fitment with smaller cranes and increased clearance distance between conductor and the ground.
• Their higher mechanical strength enables transmission towers to be placed at longer spans.
• They are resistant to pollution. More and more disc suspension insulators gradually replace ceramic or glass insulators.
• Composite insulators do not allow the accumulation of dirt. Hence, the cleaning and maintenance costs of the insulators are reduced.

The disadvantages of polymeric insulators are that damages in these insulators are difficult to detect. These insulators are also vulnerable to erosion and tracking on the surface. Their life expectancy is not predictable. Such as Porcelain suspension insulator has longer life than polymeric suspension insulator.

Relative Articles:
◆Tyco polymeric insulators
◆Composite polymer insulator India
◆Silicone insulator coating
◆Insulator price list
◆China era insulator