In the diverse environments of utility applications, selecting the right insulators is a pivotal decision that directly impacts the efficiency, safety, and longevity of electrical systems. Among the array of materials available, glass, porcelain, and composite stand out as the primary choices, each offering distinct advantages and considerations. Newell, a reputable leader in the field and a part of Power Grid Components Inc., specializes in providing high-quality insulators with an unmatched commitment to availability and swift delivery.

In the diverse environments of utility applications, selecting the right insulators is a pivotal decision that directly impacts the efficiency, safety, and longevity of electrical systems. Among the array of materials available, glass, porcelain, and composite stand out as the primary choices, each offering distinct advantages and considerations. Newell, a reputable leader in the field and a part of Power Grid Components Inc., specializes in providing high-quality insulators with an unmatched commitment to availability and swift delivery.

Newell, best known for porcelain station posts, also has a full line of porcelain and glass transmission bells, as well as composite post insulators. This blog aims to shed light on the key differences between glass, porcelain, and composite insulators, offering a high-level guide for purchasing managers, sourcing managers, procurement specialists, buyers, and standards engineers striving to make informed decisions in the fast-paced world of electrical infrastructure.

Glass Insulators

Glass insulators, with their long history in electrical engineering, are prized for their robustness and excellent insulating properties. These insulators are crafted from tempered glass to endure harsh environmental challenges without compromising their integrity. A unique advantage of glass insulators is their transparency, which facilitates easy inspection for internal damage. This transparency makes glass insulators the ideal choice to protect linemen during live line maintenance work.

Porcelain Insulators

Porcelain insulators, a staple in Newell’s product lineup, provide mechanical strength for EHV substation applications or as a distribution stand off – as you see in the picture above. Porcelain and glass insulators, known for their distinct characteristics and applications in power transmission and distribution systems, have been utilized historically since the telegraph era. These insulators are produced from a blend of kaolin, feldspar, and quartz, undergoing a rigorous firing process to achieve outstanding strength and insulation performance. Their resistance to chemical corrosion and electrical surface tracking makes them ideal for use in lightly contaminated environments. For the most demanding environments, Newell’s semi-conductive glaze insulators meet the challenge. Newell’s dedication to maintaining a comprehensive stock ensures that customers benefit from short lead times, making Newell a preferred choice for reliable porcelain insulators.

Composite Insulators

The advent of composite insulators has introduced a lightweight and versatile option to the industry. Constructed from silicone rubber molded over a fiberglass core, these insulators are easier to handle and install than traditional glass or porcelain insulators. They excel in wet conditions thanks to their hydrophobic properties, effectively repelling water. These properties make them an excellent insulator for a substation switch when the substation is located in a moderately contaminated area.

Semi Conductive Glaze Insulators

Semi-Conductive Glazed (SCG) insulators are ideal for the highly contaminated substation where composite insulators fail to prevent flashovers. SCG insulators have the strength of porcelain and even greater self-cleansing properties than polymer making them the most reliable substation insulator in the market today. Compared to porcelain or glass insulators, SCG insulators offer superior performance in terms of mechanical strength and resistance to environmental factors.

Key Considerations for Selection Adherence to Industry Standards: Ensuring Reliability

The selection of insulators should be guided by the specific needs of the application, considering factors like environmental exposure, mechanical demands, and electrical specifications. The availability of the insulator type also plays a critical role in project scheduling. Newell’s strategy to keep a wide range of insulators, including SCG insulators,  in stock ensures that customers can expect prompt delivery, providing a significant advantage over competitors. Porcelain or glass insulators are often compared for their mechanical strength and dielectric properties, with glass offering higher dielectric strength and porcelain providing more versatile shapes.

Adherence to Industry Standards: Ensuring Reliability

Porcelain and composite insulators must meet rigorous industry standards for safety and reliability in electrical infrastructures they will be operating in. All Newell insulators comply with IEC 61109 and ANSI C29 criteria for high-voltage insulators.

Porcelain Insulators:

Our entire porcelain insulator inventory is tested for compliance with IEC 60383 standards, providing assurance that they can withstand the high mechanical stresses associated with transmission & distribution systems. Adhering to these standards ensures our insulators perform reliably over decades of service and in challenging environments.

Composite Insulators:

Newell’s composite insulators meet IEC 61109 requirements for composite insulators. These standards ensure that composite insulators provide the highest performance possible in terms of both electrical insulation and mechanical strength, particularly in environments with prevalent pollution and moisture.

Partner with Newell for Your Insulator Needs

Choosing between glass, porcelain, and composite insulators involves weighing factors such as durability, resistance to environmental conditions, weight, and availability. For industry professionals tasked with making these critical decisions, a thorough understanding of the distinctions between these materials is essential. We encourage you to contact Newell for expert advice and to explore our selection of glass, porcelain, and composite insulators, taking a step towards enhancing the performance and reliability of your electrical infrastructure.

In an era where industrial and utility applications are increasingly challenged by environmental contaminants, the significance of Semi-Conductive Glaze Insulators cannot be overstated. These specialized devices, championed by Newell-PSN, a leader in the insulator industry, are designed to navigate the complexities of contaminated environments. This blog post, enriched with additional insights, revisits the critical attributes, historical development, rigorous testing, and the growing demand for Semi-Conductive Glaze Insulators, reflecting Newell’s commitment to innovation and reliability in electrical system safety.

In an era where industrial and utility applications are increasingly challenged by environmental contaminants, the significance of Semi-Conductive Glaze Insulators cannot be overstated. These specialized devices, championed by Newell-PSN, a leader in the insulator industry, are designed to navigate the complexities of contaminated environments. This blog post, enriched with additional insights, revisits the critical attributes, historical development, rigorous testing, and the growing demand for Semi-Conductive Glaze Insulators, reflecting Newell’s commitment to innovation and reliability in electrical system safety.

The Challenge of Contaminated Environments

Semi-Conductive Glaze Insulators are engineered to thrive in the most challenging conditions, where traditional insulators might falter. These environments include:

• Sea Salt, Salt Fog, and Mist: Coastal and maritime settings where salt is a constant, corrosive presence.
• Industrial and Agricultural Pollution: Areas where emissions from factories and agricultural activities compromise air quality.
• Power Plant Coal and Cooling Tower Mist: Sites where particulates from coal and mist from cooling towers create a contaminated environment.
• City and Expressway Pollution: Urban areas where vehicle emissions and industrial discharges are prevalent.
• Icing and Snow Bridging Conditions: Cold climates where ice and snow can bridge gaps, creating paths for electrical discharge.

A Legacy of Innovation and Reliability

The Semi-Conductive Glaze technology has evolved over decades through continuous innovation. To create an insulator that resists flashovers from contaminants, Newell transformed the porcelain to a semi-conductive glaze,  taking in from a standard glaze to a semiconductive glaze. This engineering effort took 5-years to develop and refine this technology. The result is a product line that can improve your insulator performance in the most contaminated applications.

Rigorous Testing and Proven Performance

Newell’s commitment to quality and reliability is evident in the extensive testing each Semi-Conductive Glaze Insulator undergoes. Adhering to ANSI/IEEE C29.9 2017 standards, every unit is tested and verified for specific resistive leakage current levels, ensuring their performance is uncompromised. Furthermore, artificial pollution tests conducted per IEC 60507 have demonstrated that these insulators can withstand the highest level of salinity defined by the standard, at 224kg/m3. Comparative testing has also shown that semi-conductive glaze units dramatically outperform standard insulating glaze and silicon-coated insulators, highlighting their superior capability in handling contaminated conditions.

Newell’s Commitment to Quality and Availability

The effectiveness and reliability of Semi-Conductive Glaze Insulators have spurred quick demand growth, with Newell-PSN successfully delivering multiple orders. Understanding the critical nature of electrical system components, Newell ensures that these insulators are not only of the highest quality but also readily available with short lead times. This responsiveness and attention to stock availability provide a significant advantage over competitors, especially in scenarios requiring quick turnaround times. As Newell continues to innovate and expand its offerings, the future looks promising for utilities and industries seeking resilient and reliable insulator solutions.

Power The Future with Newell

As the electrical industry continues to evolve, so does the need for components that can withstand the challenges of modern environmental conditions. Newell’s Semi-Conductive Glaze Insulators stand at the forefront of this evolution, offering unparalleled reliability and efficiency in contaminated environments. For procurement specialists, engineers, and managers seeking the best in electrical system safety and performance, Newell offers not just a product, but an innovation partnership. Reach out to Newell-PSN today to explore how these Semi-Conductive Glaze Insulators can elevate your projects, ensuring they meet and exceed the demands of today’s challenging environments.

Visit Us at the IEEE Trade Show

Get ready for the IEEE Trade Show, coming soon to Anaheim, CA, from May 6-9th. Join us at this pivotal industry event where you can meet our President, Rick Stanley, at Booth #3260. He will be available to showcase our exciting products and answer any questions you might have. We look forward to seeing you there and exploring new possibilities together!