Specialty Washers
An insulator pressure washer is a mechanical high pressure washer designed to remove contamination/pollution from overhead power line insulators using low conductivity water with the power on (energized). Cleaning is necessary to prevent flashovers (high voltage shorts to earth across the insulators) which can damage power line equipment.
The basic design consists of the following components:
- A Power Source (a diesel engine or a Power Power Take Off from a truck chassis)
- A centrifugal water pump
- A stainless steel water storage tank
- A high pressure water hose
- A high pressure dead-man type water wash gun
- Electrical grounds for the wash gun and washing system
Insulator washers typically have a pump pressure of about 1000 PSI and a nozzle pressure between 500 - 750 psi. They have a very high flow rate (about 60 gallons per minute) The high flow rate is necessary to provide consistent and fast cleaning of the insulators.
Insulator washers have several basic design layouts as follows:
- Trailer mount for use in electricity substations
- Chassis mount for mounting on a truck bed
- Aerial platform mount for mounting on trucks that have aerial platforms
- Helicopter mounted units
The washing unit must be able to access the electric towers to be washed. If the towers are off road in rough terrain, a 4x4, 6x4 or even 6x6 truck chassis may be required.
The systems must have a robust design as they are used outdoors, often in adverse climates.
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