Structural aspects of composite insulators for transmission systems

Composite insulators can be used to fulfil structural roles both on transmission lines and in substations. On overhead lines, the use of line posts can greatly reduce right-of-way problems, both in the construction of new lines and by the upgrading of existing lines within the same right-of-way. Within substations, composite supports and bushings can be used to overcome a variety of problems such as vandalism and earth tremors, and composite bushings in particular have the advantage of being highly resistant to explosion. The authors discuss the mechanical design aspects of both composite line posts and composite bushings