High Strength Insulator

The Paper shows a new standard test procedure for insulator contamination and a method of predicting safe use of an insulator in all levels of contamination. This method flows from the problems of providing a load-bearing electrical insulator reliable enough to be used in the construction industry on the hook of a crane. The paper relates to an insulator, and in particular to an insulator for fitting between a crane and its load, so as to electrically isolates the load from the crane. A generic name for such a device can be an `insulating link'. Where cranes or other similar mobile lifting apparatus lifts loads, a particular danger exists from overhead power lines. If any part of a crane contacts a power line, the crane becomes energised and power will flow to ground.