Discussion at Pacific Coast convention: Test results on the performance of suspension insulators

J. A. Koontz: I think there is one point that Mr. Benham has mentioned which should be emphasized, viz., that if the loading on the dead end insulator is kept within reason, there is no greater depreciation on the dead end insulator than on insulators in suspension. A great many engineers feel that insulators at the dead end points are quite a hazard. In fact on the lines in question all the early type insulators used at the dead end positions had to be removed, but when they were replaced by later designed units, the trouble ceased, as shown by the curves, and from tests, we find no more failure in the dead end position than when the insulators are used in suspension. With this in view, we feel that from a depreciation standpoint, we do not have to worrry about the dead end insulators, so long as the mechanical loads are not excessive.