Composite Insulators: China's Breakthrough in Power Grid Pollution Flashover Protection
Composite insulators feature silicone rubber sheds, epoxy resin core rods, and metal fittings. Designed for high-voltage transmission lines, they are 70% lighter than porcelain counterparts with 3x higher flexural strength. The silicone rubber's self-cleaning properties ensure reliable insulation in haze, salt fog, and extreme pollution.
The technology emerged after North China's 1990 pollution flashover crisis. Trial products demonstrated 200%-300% higher contamination withstand voltage than porcelain units. After 30 years of verification, China-made 500kV composite insulators achieve >25-year service life, matching Western products in performance, eliminating manual cleaning of insulators.