Composite insulators for 132 kV transmission lines: polymeric insulators-UK practice

The general use in the United Kingdom of polymeric insulators as the structural supports for overhead line conductors was a result of the adoption of a design of 32 kV overhead line on wood poles known as Trident. Since the appearance of this line was critical to its acceptance, and the need to maintain a `low height´ concept the feelings, at the time, were that the maximum use should be made of single poles and it should appear as near as possible to other voltage wood pole lines i.e horizontal conductor formation. The author describes how, in order to achieve this, a rigid polymeric insulator of reasonable cantilever strength was developed