Whether mass-produced or custom-made, whether composite, porcelain or hybrid, whether for primary substations or overhead lines, and for all voltage levels —
nothing works in the grids without insulators. Reinhausen Power Composites (RPC) covers all of these aspects with its product range.
Insulators are often overshadowed by their applications and taken as much for granted as the millions of lanterns that make our streets safer. Insulators occur in large amounts and in a wide variety of designs, and are crucial for ensuring that current reaches consumers reliably. Without them, nothing works. As part of the energy transition, operators will have to expand their entire infrastructure over the next few years. In Germany alone, experts estimate the need for more than 12,000 kilometers of additional high- and medium-voltage lines. In the USA, USD $440 billion alone is to be spent on expanding the power grids as part of the USD $6 trillion infrastructure package.
With the expansion of these grids as part of the energy transition, the demand for insulators is also growing. Depending on the location, the insulators have to withstand a lot: After all, the networks have to work reliably—whether in extreme weather, heat, cold or even earthquakes.
Global expansion of the grids
“Globally, there is an enormously growing need for insulators of all design types. To all energy providers and equipment manufacturers who value high product quality, supply security and service, we offer the complete range of insulators from a single source—worldwide.
“To all energy providers and equipment manufacturers who value high product quality, we offer the complete range of insulators from a single source.”Jens Seifert, Technology & Development at RPC
This is made possible by our joint venture with the Indian manufacturer ‘Aditya Birla’,” reports Marcus Hartmann who, as Executive Director Business Development, is promoting RPC’s insulator business together with his colleague Jens Seifert. Hartmann explains: “In addition to our hollow core insulators, we have now added the classic ceramic insulators produced by our Indian partner to our range and are expanding our portfolio to include overhead line applications.”
New in the product range
RPC thus offers the complete range from hollow and solid core composite to porcelain and hybrid—and this for primary substations and overhead lines. To serve the European market even more effectively, the Bavarian insulator specialists are also setting up a new production facility in Regensburg, Hartmann reports. Composite long-bar insulators up to 420 kilovolts, and gas-insulated bushings for SF6 and alternative gases are to be produced there starting in November 2022.
Jens Seifert, who holds a doctorate in electrical engineering and is responsible for technical development at RPC, explains the advantages for energy providers and equipment manufacturers (OEMs): “We cannot meet the strict specifications in Europe by just importing, and so we rely on the principle of refining semifinished products from our partner Aditya Birla.” To do this, we are setting up a manufacturing area that is fully integrated into RPC’s quality management.
The Indian partner is also supporting RPC to achieve the highest quality standards. Seifert explains: “Our RPC experts are introducing quality control plans and additional quality assurance measures into the Indian production. The highest product quality combined with the proven RPC customer service are the main advantages for our customers.
And that essentially means access to our decades of experience in the development and sale of insulators and to the knowledge gained from our work on various technical committees and commissions.”
Hollow composite
insulators
Up to a voltage level of 1,100 kV DC/1,200 kV AC Power class: >100 kN Insulators for HVAC, HVDC
Composite long rod insulators
Up to 420 kV AC Power class: 120…550 kN Length: 1,200…4,000 mm Insulator for overhead lines
Composite solid-core
support insulators
OEM portfolio up to 800 kV AC
Porcelain insulators
Up to a voltage level of 800 kV AC/550 kV DC Power class: >20 kN Insulators for HVAC, HVDC
Compact power traverses
Voltage: Up to 420 kV Mechanical load: Up to 160 kN Insulating boom: 1‑phase, 3‑phase (ECP)
Hybrid insulators
Up to a voltage level of 1,100 kV AC / 1,000 kV DC, power class: >20 kN Insulators for HVAC, HVDC
YOUR CONTACT
Do you have questions about insulators?
Jens Seifert is there for you:
J.Seifert@reinhausen.com