Ceramic Things On Power Poles

From the length of the insulators probably towards the higher end of that spectrum.

Ceramic things on power poles.

Primary wires are on top of the pole and usually carry 12 000 volts of electricity from a substation. Insulators are those glass or porcelain things you see on the tops and crossarms of telephone poles. The distribution lines that run down your street are probably 5 15kv. 6 insulators protect electricity from draining into utility poles.

I ve seen these stacked disc structures on high voltage power lines everywhere. From what i ve noticed high voltage ceramic insulators only insulate conductors end to end not inside to outside like traditional plastic insulators. Cutouts act like a fuse and open when there is a problem with the line or a section of it. It lowers the voltage from the higher voltage in the supply lines to the power used in your house.

Metal and concrete poles can last much longer but eventually all utility poles need to be replaced. Ever notice that power lines don t actually touch the poles. Those are the insulators. You definitely don t want the power lines connecting to the poles.

Their purpose is to insulate the electrical wires they carry so that electricity or telephone calls don t all leak into the pole and into the earth. Electricity is like water. Instead the electrical lines are attached to things that look like dinner plates or cups. It s a distribution transformer aka pole pig.

Insulators prevent energized wires from coming in contact with each other or the utility pole.