Utligger (SKI)

Under normal conditions, maintenance operations of polymeric insulators are not necessary. However, it may be necessary to wash the insulators in areas of extreme contamination and where there are abnormal levels of leakage current.

The insulator should be washed so that the watersheds just cleaned will maintain adequate insulation. For example, on vertical insulators the washing would be started at the bottom and work upwards.

The actual cleaning process is similar to sandblasting in that a pressurized air stream is used to bombard the insulator surface with abrasive media. After cleaning, the contaminant and abrasive residue remaining on the insulator surfaces are blown off with dry, clean, compressed air. With proper cleaning media and procedures, virtually any contaminant can be safely removed from the insulator surfaces without the need for area cleanup of the abrasive residue. Abrasive cleaning techniques are not recommended for silicone rubber insulators since they can temporarily destroy the surface hydrophobicity of the polymer.

Line insulators and arresters are made of ceramic and nonceramic materials. Distribution insulators entail different concerns than transmission line insulators due to the lesser voltage involved and the respective clearance distances of the pole framing. One of the main concerns of washing is the potential problem of over spray. This is tempered somewhat by the reduced nozzle to insulator distance. A much lower water pressure may be feasible for low voltage, even to the point of almost a flooding. The water then would be directed to the whole pole or area of a pole.

Polymer insulators may be cleaned by methods other than water washing.

a) De-energized cleaning. If the insulators can be de-energized for cleaning, they may be hand washed with rags or wiping cloths in mild detergent water. This should be followed by a low-pressure flood rinse with clean water to remove any residue. Solvents or harsh abrasives are normally not recommended. Wetting agents or additives can be used to improve the washing action of the cleaning water. Solvents may be used, provided all cleaning residue are removed by the final clean water rinse and only after manufacturer approval.

b) Energized cleaning. Compressed air/dry abrasive cleaning involves the use of compressed air and dry abrasive cleaning media. The abrasive cleaning compounds often consist of ground corn cob mixed with ground walnut or pecan shells. Powdered silica or lime may be added to the compound or used alone to increase abrasiveness.

Under normal conditions, maintenance operations of polymeric insulators are not necessary. However, it may be necessary to wash the insulators in areas of extreme contamination and where there are abnormal levels of leakage current.

The insulator should be washed so that the watersheds just cleaned will maintain adequate insulation. For example, on vertical insulators the washing would be started at the bottom and work upwards.

The actual cleaning process is similar to sandblasting in that a pressurized air stream is used to bombard the insulator surface with abrasive media. After cleaning, the contaminant and abrasive residue remaining on the insulator surfaces are blown off with dry, clean, compressed air. With proper cleaning media and procedures, virtually any contaminant can be safely removed from the insulator surfaces without the need for area cleanup of the abrasive residue. Abrasive cleaning techniques are not recommended for silicone rubber insulators since they can temporarily destroy the surface hydrophobicity of the polymer.

Line insulators and arresters are made of ceramic and nonceramic materials. Distribution insulators entail different concerns than transmission line insulators due to the lesser voltage involved and the respective clearance distances of the pole framing. One of the main concerns of washing is the potential problem of over spray. This is tempered somewhat by the reduced nozzle to insulator distance. A much lower water pressure may be feasible for low voltage, even to the point of almost a flooding. The water then would be directed to the whole pole or area of a pole.

Polymer insulators may be cleaned by methods other than water washing.

a) De-energized cleaning. If the insulators can be de-energized for cleaning, they may be hand washed with rags or wiping cloths in mild detergent water. This should be followed by a low-pressure flood rinse with clean water to remove any residue. Solvents or harsh abrasives are normally not recommended. Wetting agents or additives can be used to improve the washing action of the cleaning water. Solvents may be used, provided all cleaning residue are removed by the final clean water rinse and only after manufacturer approval.

b) Energized cleaning. Compressed air/dry abrasive cleaning involves the use of compressed air and dry abrasive cleaning media. The abrasive cleaning compounds often consist of ground corn cob mixed with ground walnut or pecan shells. Powdered silica or lime may be added to the compound or used alone to increase abrasiveness.

Under normal conditions, maintenance operations of polymeric insulators are not necessary. However, it may be necessary to wash the insulators in areas of extreme contamination and where there are abnormal levels of leakage current.

The insulator should be washed so that the watersheds just cleaned will maintain adequate insulation. For example, on vertical insulators the washing would be started at the bottom and work upwards.

The actual cleaning process is similar to sandblasting in that a pressurized air stream is used to bombard the insulator surface with abrasive media. After cleaning, the contaminant and abrasive residue remaining on the insulator surfaces are blown off with dry, clean, compressed air. With proper cleaning media and procedures, virtually any contaminant can be safely removed from the insulator surfaces without the need for area cleanup of the abrasive residue. Abrasive cleaning techniques are not recommended for silicone rubber insulators since they can temporarily destroy the surface hydrophobicity of the polymer.

Line insulators and arresters are made of ceramic and nonceramic materials. Distribution insulators entail different concerns than transmission line insulators due to the lesser voltage involved and the respective clearance distances of the pole framing. One of the main concerns of washing is the potential problem of over spray. This is tempered somewhat by the reduced nozzle to insulator distance. A much lower water pressure may be feasible for low voltage, even to the point of almost a flooding. The water then would be directed to the whole pole or area of a pole.

Polymer insulators may be cleaned by methods other than water washing.

a) De-energized cleaning. If the insulators can be de-energized for cleaning, they may be hand washed with rags or wiping cloths in mild detergent water. This should be followed by a low-pressure flood rinse with clean water to remove any residue. Solvents or harsh abrasives are normally not recommended. Wetting agents or additives can be used to improve the washing action of the cleaning water. Solvents may be used, provided all cleaning residue are removed by the final clean water rinse and only after manufacturer approval.

b) Energized cleaning. Compressed air/dry abrasive cleaning involves the use of compressed air and dry abrasive cleaning media. The abrasive cleaning compounds often consist of ground corn cob mixed with ground walnut or pecan shells. Powdered silica or lime may be added to the compound or used alone to increase abrasiveness.

Under normal conditions, maintenance operations of polymeric insulators are not necessary. However, it may be necessary to wash the insulators in areas of extreme contamination and where there are abnormal levels of leakage current.

The insulator should be washed so that the watersheds just cleaned will maintain adequate insulation. For example, on vertical insulators the washing would be started at the bottom and work upwards.

The actual cleaning process is similar to sandblasting in that a pressurized air stream is used to bombard the insulator surface with abrasive media. After cleaning, the contaminant and abrasive residue remaining on the insulator surfaces are blown off with dry, clean, compressed air. With proper cleaning media and procedures, virtually any contaminant can be safely removed from the insulator surfaces without the need for area cleanup of the abrasive residue. Abrasive cleaning techniques are not recommended for silicone rubber insulators since they can temporarily destroy the surface hydrophobicity of the polymer.

Line insulators and arresters are made of ceramic and nonceramic materials. Distribution insulators entail different concerns than transmission line insulators due to the lesser voltage involved and the respective clearance distances of the pole framing. One of the main concerns of washing is the potential problem of over spray. This is tempered somewhat by the reduced nozzle to insulator distance. A much lower water pressure may be feasible for low voltage, even to the point of almost a flooding. The water then would be directed to the whole pole or area of a pole.

Polymer insulators may be cleaned by methods other than water washing.

a) De-energized cleaning. If the insulators can be de-energized for cleaning, they may be hand washed with rags or wiping cloths in mild detergent water. This should be followed by a low-pressure flood rinse with clean water to remove any residue. Solvents or harsh abrasives are normally not recommended. Wetting agents or additives can be used to improve the washing action of the cleaning water. Solvents may be used, provided all cleaning residue are removed by the final clean water rinse and only after manufacturer approval.

b) Energized cleaning. Compressed air/dry abrasive cleaning involves the use of compressed air and dry abrasive cleaning media. The abrasive cleaning compounds often consist of ground corn cob mixed with ground walnut or pecan shells. Powdered silica or lime may be added to the compound or used alone to increase abrasiveness.

Under normal conditions, maintenance operations of polymeric insulators are not necessary. However, it may be necessary to wash the insulators in areas of extreme contamination and where there are abnormal levels of leakage current.

The insulator should be washed so that the watersheds just cleaned will maintain adequate insulation. For example, on vertical insulators the washing would be started at the bottom and work upwards.

The actual cleaning process is similar to sandblasting in that a pressurized air stream is used to bombard the insulator surface with abrasive media. After cleaning, the contaminant and abrasive residue remaining on the insulator surfaces are blown off with dry, clean, compressed air. With proper cleaning media and procedures, virtually any contaminant can be safely removed from the insulator surfaces without the need for area cleanup of the abrasive residue. Abrasive cleaning techniques are not recommended for silicone rubber insulators since they can temporarily destroy the surface hydrophobicity of the polymer.

Line insulators and arresters are made of ceramic and nonceramic materials. Distribution insulators entail different concerns than transmission line insulators due to the lesser voltage involved and the respective clearance distances of the pole framing. One of the main concerns of washing is the potential problem of over spray. This is tempered somewhat by the reduced nozzle to insulator distance. A much lower water pressure may be feasible for low voltage, even to the point of almost a flooding. The water then would be directed to the whole pole or area of a pole.

Polymer insulators may be cleaned by methods other than water washing.

a) De-energized cleaning. If the insulators can be de-energized for cleaning, they may be hand washed with rags or wiping cloths in mild detergent water. This should be followed by a low-pressure flood rinse with clean water to remove any residue. Solvents or harsh abrasives are normally not recommended. Wetting agents or additives can be used to improve the washing action of the cleaning water. Solvents may be used, provided all cleaning residue are removed by the final clean water rinse and only after manufacturer approval.

b) Energized cleaning. Compressed air/dry abrasive cleaning involves the use of compressed air and dry abrasive cleaning media. The abrasive cleaning compounds often consist of ground corn cob mixed with ground walnut or pecan shells. Powdered silica or lime may be added to the compound or used alone to increase abrasiveness.

Under normal conditions, maintenance operations of polymeric insulators are not necessary. However, it may be necessary to wash the insulators in areas of extreme contamination and where there are abnormal levels of leakage current.

The insulator should be washed so that the watersheds just cleaned will maintain adequate insulation. For example, on vertical insulators the washing would be started at the bottom and work upwards.

The actual cleaning process is similar to sandblasting in that a pressurized air stream is used to bombard the insulator surface with abrasive media. After cleaning, the contaminant and abrasive residue remaining on the insulator surfaces are blown off with dry, clean, compressed air. With proper cleaning media and procedures, virtually any contaminant can be safely removed from the insulator surfaces without the need for area cleanup of the abrasive residue. Abrasive cleaning techniques are not recommended for silicone rubber insulators since they can temporarily destroy the surface hydrophobicity of the polymer.

Line insulators and arresters are made of ceramic and nonceramic materials. Distribution insulators entail different concerns than transmission line insulators due to the lesser voltage involved and the respective clearance distances of the pole framing. One of the main concerns of washing is the potential problem of over spray. This is tempered somewhat by the reduced nozzle to insulator distance. A much lower water pressure may be feasible for low voltage, even to the point of almost a flooding. The water then would be directed to the whole pole or area of a pole.

Polymer insulators may be cleaned by methods other than water washing.

a) De-energized cleaning. If the insulators can be de-energized for cleaning, they may be hand washed with rags or wiping cloths in mild detergent water. This should be followed by a low-pressure flood rinse with clean water to remove any residue. Solvents or harsh abrasives are normally not recommended. Wetting agents or additives can be used to improve the washing action of the cleaning water. Solvents may be used, provided all cleaning residue are removed by the final clean water rinse and only after manufacturer approval.

b) Energized cleaning. Compressed air/dry abrasive cleaning involves the use of compressed air and dry abrasive cleaning media. The abrasive cleaning compounds often consist of ground corn cob mixed with ground walnut or pecan shells. Powdered silica or lime may be added to the compound or used alone to increase abrasiveness.