Optional Silicone-Rubber Insulators Lend New Installation Flexibility to Phase-Over-Phase Mark V Circuit-Switchers.

S&C’s Phase-Over-Phase Mark V Circuit-Switcher has an innovative new feature — composite-silicone rubber insulators. This phase-over-phase Mark V offers a reliable alternative for pole-mounted transmission-voltage line-switching applications, where limited substation real estate might otherwise prevent the installation of a line-switching device. Now with the optional silicone-rubber insulators, the weight of the Mark V Circuit-Switcher is greatly reduced — minimizing weight requirements for the transmission pole and the transmission pole’s support structures.

The silicone insulators are nearly half the weight of porcelain insulators, but that isn’t their only advantage. The silicone-rubber material is also hydrophobic for excellent performance in severe environments, such as coastal areas and areas with heavy industrial pollution. The silicone causes water to bead on the surface of the insulation, preventing the formation of conductive tracks that can lead to tracking and possible flashovers. And the hydrophobic properties of the silicone rubber do not degrade over time.

Phase-Over-Phase Mark V Circuit-Switchers with composite silicone-rubber insulators can be used in place of gang-operated air-break switches in transmission-voltage line-switching applications. They are available at 115 kV and 138 kV, with either S&C’s LS-2 Switch Operator or a manual-geared operating handle.