Glass insulator is an important insulation component used in power systems, mainly for achieving electrical insulation and mechanical support in high-voltage and ultra high voltage AC/DC transmission lines. Specifically, its uses can be divided into the following two core aspects:

1. Electrical insulation

Isolation voltage: This is its most basic function. Glass insulators can effectively isolate the voltage between high-voltage transmission lines and the metal towers carrying them, prevent current leakage to the ground, and ensure the safety of line maintenance personnel and the surrounding environment.

Increasing creepage distance: By using multiple disc-shaped insulators in series to form an insulator string, the path length (i.e. creepage distance) that current needs to pass between the wire and the tower can be significantly increased, thereby improving the overall insulation level of the line and preventing flashover accidents caused by high humidity or surface pollution.

2. Mechanical support

Suspension conductor: Glass insulators securely suspend heavy transmission lines on towers through metal attachments (iron caps and steel feet) at both ends, and withstand various mechanical loads such as the weight of the conductor, wind, ice and snow loads, and impact forces generated during line faults.