AL-LIN-10013

Revision No. 2
Date: 2012-03-19

Revision History
The following table lists the revisions and past history of this standard.

Revision # Date Author Reviewer Approver

1 2007-05-31 Michael Harmon

Description:
Updated code references, general revision, addition of minimum bell table.

2 2012-03-19 Emily Burtt Rodger Renwick Rodger Renwick

Description:
Updated format, assigned new number (Previously TA-239). Incorporated TA-239-TB-01 – Correction
to TA-239 Regarding Insulator Types, and TA-239-TB-01 – Color Banding Requirements for Glass
Insulators (Table 1). Added color glazing requirements for porcelain insulators (Table 2). Updated
external standard references. Removed section on minimum number of insulator bells per voltage as
this is covered in AL-LIN-20007.

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 AL-LIN-10013
Revision No. 2
Date: 2012-03-19

Table of Contents
REVISION HISTORY .........................................................................................................................................................2
1.0 INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................................4
1.1 SCOPE.............................................................................................................................................................4
1.2 PURPOSE .........................................................................................................................................................4
1.3 APPLICATION ....................................................................................................................................................4
2.0 REFERENCES .....................................................................................................................................................4
3.0 DEFINITIONS .....................................................................................................................................................4
4.0 MATERIAL .........................................................................................................................................................4
4.1 INSULATOR ......................................................................................................................................................4
4.2 SHELL .............................................................................................................................................................4
4.3 SURFACE .........................................................................................................................................................4
4.4 METAL PARTS ..................................................................................................................................................5
4.5 CEMENT ..........................................................................................................................................................5
5.0 PREQUALIFICATION PROVISIONS .....................................................................................................................5
5.1 DESIGN/TYPE TESTS ..........................................................................................................................................5
6.0 QUALITY AND ASSURANCE PROVISIONS ..........................................................................................................5
6.1 GENERAL .........................................................................................................................................................5
6.2 SAMPLE TESTS ..................................................................................................................................................6
6.3 ROUTINE TESTS.................................................................................................................................................6
7.0 MARKING AND PACKAGING .............................................................................................................................6

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 AL-LIN-10013
Revision No. 2
Date: 2012-03-19

1.0 Introduction
1.1 Scope
This specification covers the technical requirements for the supply and manufacture of wet-process
porcelain and toughened glass suspension type insulators used on AltaLink's AC overhead transmission
lines.
1.2 Purpose
The purpose of this specification is to provide the minimum technical requirements which must be met
for the acceptance of porcelain and toughened glass suspension type insulators.
1.3 Application
This specification shall be applied to all purchase, construction, and delivery of porcelain and toughened
glass suspension type insulators.

2.0 References
Where reference is made to the following standards, such reference shall be considered to refer to the
latest editions and revisions thereto, unless otherwise specified.

CSA C411.1 AC Suspension Insulators

ASTM A370 Standard Test Methods and Definitions for Mechanical Testing of Steel Products
ISO 9001 Quality Management Systems

3.0 Definitions
Insulator – a device intended for the electrical insulation and mechanical support of equipment or
conductors that are subject to electric potential differences

MIC – Material Item Catalogue (AltaLink)

4.0 Material
4.1 Insulator
All insulators covered by this specification shall be the ball-and-socket type furnished with a positive
locking device of the split cotter key style conforming to CSA C411.1.
4.2 Shell
The insulator shell shall be made of wet-process porcelain or toughened glass. The shell shall be sound
and free from defects that may adversely affect the mechanical or electrical properties or the life of the
insulator.
4.3 Surface
The surface of the shell shall be smooth and free from imperfections and shall be evaluated in
accordance with the requirements of CSA C411.1.

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4.4 Metal Parts

All metal parts shall conform to CSA C411.1. Material for the steel pins shall have Charpy V-notch
minimum absorbed energy of 20 Joules at minus 20 C when tested in accordance with Clause 5.2 of this
specification.
4.5 Cement
If Portland cement is used in the assembly of an insulator, it shall meet the requirements specified in
CSA C411.1.

5.0 Prequalification Provisions

5.1 Design/Type Tests
Design or type tests shall be performed on any insulators submitted by a supplier for AltaLink Asset
Management's approval during the prequalification process. The tests are intended to verify the main
electrical and mechanical characteristics of an insulator.

1. Design tests shall also be done if dimensions or material described on manufacturer's drawings
are modified or if manufacturing processes have changed. When the change affects only certain
characteristics, subject to agreement between AltaLink and the supplier, only the tests relevant
to those characteristics need be repeated.

2. All insulators covered by this specification shall comply with the requirements of the Type Tests
specified in CSA C411.1. The number of samples selected for each test shall be in accordance
with CSA C411.1.

6.0 Quality and Assurance Provisions

6.1 General
The manufacturer should have a registered ISO 9001 quality management system. The registration
certificate and the quality manual will be provided to AltaLink, by the manufacturer upon request.

In lieu of a registered quality management system, the manufacturer shall have a functional quality
program in place. The quality manual will be provided to AltaLink, upon request. The quality program
may be evaluated by AltaLink, as part of the manufacturer approval process and at any time during the
contract.

The manufacturer shall submit the quality plan to AltaLink, as soon as possible in the contract, but no
later than 1 week prior to production start. After the quality plan is submitted to AltaLink, any revisions
to the plan shall be communicated to AltaLink immediately.

All test and inspection reports, including the sub-manufacturers test and inspection reports shall be
submitted to AltaLink.

Provision shall be made by the supplier to allow AltaLink's representative or agent to witness all
production processes required for manufacture and all tests required by this specification if requested
by AltaLink. The supplier shall provide reasonable notice of production and test schedule to AltaLink.

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Insulators covered by this specification shall be subjected to the Sample Tests and Routine Tests
outlined in 6.2 and 6.3 respectively.
6.2 Sample Tests
Sample tests shall be performed on randomly selected insulators from each manufactured batch. The
type of tests, the number of samples to be tested and the acceptance criteria shall be as specified in CSA
C411.1.

In addition to the sample tests specified above, Charpy impact tests shall be done on one randomly
selected pin from each heat treatment lot in accordance with the requirements of ASTM A370. Impact
tests shall be conducted at minus 20°C and the minimum energy value of these specimens shall be 20
Joules. No failure is permitted.
6.3 Routine Tests
Each insulator shall be subjected to routine tests to eliminate insulators with manufacturing defects.

The type of routine tests and acceptance criteria shall be as specified in CSA C411.1.

7.0 Marking and Packaging

1. Each unit shall bear the manufacturer's identification and the electromechanical failing load
rating in kilonewtons identified by the symbol "M & E". The markings shall be legible and
durable.

2. Color bands are required on all glass insulators to differentiate between the various strengths,
as per Table 1. This color band shall be painted on the insulator string by the manufacturer.

Table 1 – Insulator Color Banding

MIC Type Strength Color Band Requirement
5720203 CS-3 67 kN (15000 lb) No Color Band
5720209 CS-5 111 kN (25000 lb) Yellow Color Band
5721230 CS-8 160 kN (36000 lb) Blue Color Band
5721231 CS-11 222 kN (50000 lb) Red Color Band

3. Color glazing is required on all porcelain insulators to differentiate between the various
strengths, as per Table 2. This color glazing shall be applied to the insulator string by the
manufacturer.

Table 2 – Porcelain Glaze Color

MIC Strength Glaze Color
5720201 67 kN (15000 lb) Brown
5720205 67 kN (15000 lb) Blue
5720207 111 kN (25000 lb) Grey
5721210 160 kN (36000 lb) Blue
5721220 222 kN (50000 lb) Grey

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4. Packaging of insulators shall be such as to afford reasonable and proper protection to the
insulators during shipping and handling.

5. All insulator crates and/or pallets shall be wrapped to prevent contamination due to dust and/or
dirt collected on insulators during shipping and storage.

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