Structural insulator

摘要

An electrically insulating cross-arm for a tower for high-voltage power networks. The cross-arm includes an insulating structural member for attachment to the tower body and to support a conductor cable. The insulating structural member comprises a solid rigid spine extending along a long axis having cross sectional profile, normal to the long axis, having a second moment of area of its cross sectional profile about every axis normal to the long axis and dissecting its centroid has a value of A2/2π or more, where A is the area of the cross sectional profile. The structural member provides resistance to bending and compressive buckling and allows conductors to be safely supported at reduced tower height. T and Y shaped cross sections provide water run-off and inhibition of organic growth. The structural members are also generally useful as insulator members in high voltage power networks.

主权项

1. An electrically insulating cross-arm for a tower arranged to carry power conductors spaced from a body of said tower, the cross-arm comprising at least one first insulating structural member having a proximal end adapted for attachment to the tower body and a distal end adapted for attachment to a conductor support means,
wherein the first insulating structural member comprises a solid rigid spine extending along a long axis between the distal and proximal ends and wherein the spine has a cross sectional profile, normal to the long axis, having a centroid and wherein the second moment of area of the cross sectional profile about every axis normal to the long axis and dissecting the centroid has a value of A2/2π or more, where A is the area of the cross sectional profile, and wherein the rigid spine comprises three rib-like protrusions extending along the axis, arranged to form at least two substantially concave faces therebetween and wherein the cross-sectional profile of the rigid spine is substantially T or Y shaped, the rib-like protrusions providing the arms of the T or Y shape.