New Products in PACE Networks Stocks
PACE Networks began stocking and distributing rail electrification products in 2018 and is constantly reviewing the range of components and sub-systems held in our warehouse. Bonomi-Rebosio has a range of UK-approved insulators and underbridge arms and has worked with PACE to increase UK stock levels, supporting enhancements, renewals and maintenance programs. PACE Networks is also able to source a wide range of electrification materials and welcomes all enquiries.
Rebosio Achieves 6kV per mm Insulation Rating
Rebosio’s HTV silicone insulators remain essentially unchanged since they were first trialled in 1987. However, they are always seeking performance enhancements and after laboratory testing in 2023, they were able to confirm that their silicone housing was able to withstand up to 6kV per mm. This high level of insulation rating was a gratifying result for Rebosio’s technical team and delivers functional advantages around voltage withstand, tracking and erosion as well as losses and pollution performance.
The rating also supports one of the advantages of composite insulators around reduced clearances. The transmission grid will have a multitude of challenges in the coming decades; a period that will experience the integration of large-scale renewable energy generation to the grid, while operators are dealing with year-on-year load growth. Composite insulators offer the flexibility of string length options for clearance challenging applications. The length and diameter of sheds can be optimised to result in higher creepage protection at a reduced overall length.
Rebosio’s Range of Insulated Crossarm Solutions Built on Global Experience
Insulated crossarms for transmission towers are growing in popularity globally and a range of approaches and designs have been tried by operators. Each solution has benefits around footprint, clearances, cost and aesthetics, and Rebosio has worked with several operators on solutions up to 550kV. These solutions cover monopole and lattice towers, arc protection, pivoting and non-pivoting bases, and mechanical ratings up to 750kN. Rebosio’s projects include 132kV single and double arms for Fuerteventura in a high salinity environment; double 230kV crossarms with a pivoting base in Brazil; 80kms of single 380kV crossarms for monopoles in the Netherlands, rated up to 500kN; and 6000 sets of double arms at 500kV for Brazil, designed for severe wind conditions.
Rebosio has been supplying insulators for transmission crossarms since 2000, often working together with a local design organisation in specifying the exact design of the insulators and fittings. They can provide power arc, RIV and corona test reports for all insulators and are available to discuss the potential benefits of insulated crossarms.
Rebosio 400kV Insulators see first UK Installation
The 4YB route underwent a renewal of the conductors and insulator strings during 2023, which saw Rebosio 300kN insulators installed on the 400kV tension and suspension towers. The HTV silicone insulators, produced in Madone, Italy, feature a weight-saving of more than 95%, shallow shed profiles and Rebosio’s Isoflon-E technology, developed in the 1980s.
Feedback from the installer included comments about tweaking methodologies and how quickly the team adapted to the new insulators. Manual handling was flagged as a major benefit, simplifying the process of delivery, moving and raising the insulators, making the entire process safer and more efficient.
The whole process from shipment, site delivery, site movements and stringing enjoys efficiency benefits that further strengthen the already strong commercial case for Polymerics. For example, assembling the strings at the site saw a c. 2-hour time saving per tower. The compact, lightweight nature of the insulators also reduces the carbon impact of the project, with fewer trucks required and on-site fuel savings for the plant. Another health and safety benefit is the robust nature of the insulators, simplifying handling and eliminating the risk of glass discs, as one linesman mentioned, “popping in your face” during handling.
As the industry shapes up for what promises to be a period of significant work and network adaption, Rebosio and PACE hope to see the benefits of the widespread adoption of these insulators.
