Glass insulators are made from a mixture of different materials, including lime and quartz powder, and are usually made at high temperatures and then cooled abruptly in a mold. This action ("tempering" causes the glass to tighten). In this way, the glass insulator is obtained.

Due to the high mechanical strength of the glass insulator surface, the surface is not easily cracked. The electrical strength of glass generally remains constant throughout operation, and the aging process of glass is much slower than that of porcelain insulators. Therefore, glass insulators are mainly scrapped due to self-destruction in the first year of operation, while the defects of porcelain insulators are only discovered after several years of operation.

By using glass insulators, it is possible to eliminate the routine energized preventive tests of insulators during operation. This is because each type of damage to the tempered glass causes damage to the insulator and is easily detected by the operator during line inspections. When an insulator is damaged, the glass fragments near the steel cap and iron foot will catch, while the rest of the insulator is mechanically strong enough to prevent the insulator string from breaking.

AC Standard Glass Insulator

AC Double/Triple-shed Type Glass Insulator

Advantages of glass insulators

1.Higher fracture resistance and mechanical compressive strength of glass insulators.

2. Much higher electrical resistance than porcelain insulators (between 500 kV/cm and 1000 kV/cm)

3. The coefficient of thermal expansion of glass insulators is small, and their relative deformation due to temperature changes is minimal. In addition, glass insulators are completely crushed before cracking, so that defective insulators can be easily detected on the ground. In contrast to porcelain insulators, any cracks or holes created during the manufacturing process can be detected in glass insulators.

4. Due to the transparency, some or sun rays pass through the glass insulator, thus reducing the degradation of the insulator.

Common Problems of Glass Insulators

1. Is glass a conductor?

Glass is actually an insulator. It does not allow the easy flow of electrons from one atom to another, just like copper and other metals, which are excellent conductors of heat and electricity. Glass, wood and plastic are good insulators, but not good conductors.

2. How do insulators work?

The most common insulations work by slowing down the conduction of heat flow and, to a lesser extent, convective heat flow. Radiant barriers and reflective insulation systems work by reducing radiant heat gain. Proper insulation of your home can reduce heat flow by providing effective resistance.

3. Why are glass insulators used more than porcelain insulators?

Glass insulators have a low coefficient of thermal expansion. It has a higher tensile strength compared to porcelain insulators. Because it is transparent, it does not heat up in the sunlight like porcelain does. Because of its transparency, impurities and air bubbles inside the glass insulator can be easily detected.

4. The best way to clean glass insulators

Baking soda. Use a toothbrush and baking soda mixed with water to form a paste to clean the insulator and brush into the cracks of the insulator.

Oxalic acid.

White vinegar.

Stove cleaner.

Founded in 1986, SAA Grid Technology Co., Ltd is a national high-tech enterprise and one of the most powerfulpolymer insulator manufacturers in China.