The Insulator Situation

This paper gives a r??sum?? of the insulator situation as it exists at the present time and shows the gradual increase in requirements that have been held essential to a successful insulator. A statement of the apparent causes of the very rapid deterioration of insulators, even when stored and subject to no electric stress is given, and the conditions necessary to the production of an insulator that will reduce this deterioration cost are discussed. Microphotographs showing the structure of the porcelain from several insulators are given. Interesting flows and defects common to porcelain insulators are shown. Three means are given for improving the insulator situation, one of which is the use of fused quartz as an insulator material, the laboratory feasibility of which has been shown. Investigations as to the commercial manufacture of quartz insulators are under way.