Glass Suspension Insulators

There is currently no insulator hobby numbering system for glass suspension insulators, although there are a couple collectors working on defining one. These insulators can typically be linked together into strings to provide higher voltage protection. These style of insulators are typically used on high tension power transmission towers as shown below (Most are porcelain, but glass is sometimes seen). There are two scarce glass suspension insulators that saw only limited use, but are very popular with insulator collectors - These are shown at the bottom of this page.

High Voltage Transmission

Small six inch Corning Pyrex suspension insulator (Pin and clevis connection) - These smaller suspensions were typically used in pairs on lower voltage distribution circuits.

10 inch Corning Pyrex suspension insulator in carnival glass. (Ball and socket connection)

a side view of the 10 inch Corning Pyrex suspension insulator. These are sometimes found with the metal removed and there is threading in the center to help the cement hold.

10 inch EIV suspension insulator. These have been imported from France and are not too old (This example was made in 1965). This is also a ball & socket type.

Side view of the 10 inch EIV suspension.

Nine inch Corning Pyrex suspension insulator in carnival glass. Note that this insulator uses a somewhat unusual hook and eye connection.

Nine inch Pyrex suspension insulator with a ball and socket connection.

This unusual suspension insulator is assembled from six separate shells that mount on a wood rod with cast iron caps that screw onto each end. These have all been found in Montana and are based on a patent by Harry Cochrane of Butte, MT on August 15, 1916. There is a 10 shell version of this that is quite rare.

Similar to the Cochrane design, this rare suspension insulator is made from five seperate shells mounted on a hollow composition rod with cast iron ends held by cotter pins. The shells, which were made by Hemingray, had previously been assumed to mate with the CD 317.7 power insulator and were assigned CD 314. Elton Gish identified US Patent No. 1,015,229 which is very similar to this design.

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