Updates & Events
Info for members about events, updates, and results
In 2026 we are planning to undertake several tasks in P35.012, Glass and Porcelain Insulators, including those listed below:
- Develop Porcelain and Glass Insulator Vintage Guide: Given the industry’s extensive history with porcelain insulators, assessing and managing these aging populations will be necessary for many years. However, test data alone are not sufficient for end-of-life decisions. With the increasing use of glass insulators, this task will develop a guide that consolidates essential information to help utilities assess failure risk and determine when to replace insulator populations based on their make and vintage.
- Evaluate the Performance of RTV-Coated Insulators: Manufactured RTV-coated glass insulators are relatively new and have limited global experience. This task aims to evaluate the performance of RTV coatings in various service environments and assess if tasks such as cleaning can be used without damaging the coating.
- Study Glass Insulator Failure: As glass insulators become more common, reports of shattering may increase. Tools to understand the causes of shattering can expedite issue resolution. EPRI intends to build on existing data to develop methods for determining the causes of glass insulator failures.
- Evaluate Steep Impulse Flashover Test Methodology: There is some indication that glass quality may be assessed with steep impulse flashovers. EPRI intends to test utility samples of new glass insulators to understand how impulse testing can be used for this assessment.
- Update the Insulator Calculation Engine (ICE): With the emergence of RTV silicone-coated glass insulators, controlling corona to reduce RTV degradation becomes crucial. This tool helps calculate electric field stress along an insulator string to determine the need for grading devices. EPRI continually updates this tool based on user feedback to ensure ease of use and relevance.
- Insulator Reference Book (The Violet Book): This comprehensive guide provides state-of-the-art information on insulator selection, inspection, and maintenance. Revisions to the book are aim to include the numerous mechanical considerations when selecting insulator for different configurations.
2026 Engagement Opportunities
| Event Name | Date | Location | Contact | Information |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Transmission and Substations Task Force Meeting | February 9 - 12 | Charlotte, NC EPRI Offices | Rachel Moore | Meeting Information |
| Transmission & Substations Advisory Meeting | March 30 - April 1 | Charlotte, NC EPRI Offices | Rachel Moore | Meeting Information |
| EPRI R&D Project Update Webcast: Polymer Insulators, Glass and Porcelain Insulators (P35.011, P35.012) | May 12 11:00 am - 12:00 pm ET | Webcast | Tim Shaw | More information coming soon |
| Overhead Transmission 2025 ARP Rollout #1 | June 18 10:00 - 11:30 am ET | Webcast | Rachel Moore | More information coming soon |
| Overhead Transmission 2025 ARP Rollout #2 | July 30 10:00 - 11:30 am ET | Webcast | Rachel Moore | More information coming soon |
| Transmission and Substations Task Force Meeting | August 10-14 | Charlotte, NC EPRI Offices | Rachel Moore | More information coming soon |
| Transmission & Substations Advisory Meeting | August 31- September 2 | Rachel Moore | More information coming soon | |
| EPRI R&D Project Update Webcast: Polymer Insulators, Glass and Porcelain Insulators Update (P35.011, P35.012) | November 10 11:00 am - 12:00 pm ET | Webcast | Tim Shaw | More information coming soon |
2026 Anticipated Deliverables
| Deliverable | Type |
|---|---|
| Insulator Reference Book (TheViolet Book) | Reference Book |
| Insulator E-field Modeling Software(Insulator Calculation Engine [ICE]) | Software |
| Porcelain and Glass Insulator Vintage Guide | Technical Update |
| Contamination | Technical Update |
2025 Engagement Opportunities
| Meeting | Date | Location | Information |
|---|---|---|---|
| EPRI R&D Information Exchange Webcast: Applications and Issues of ADSS Fiber from an Industry Perspective | February 20, 11:00 am - 12:00 pm ET |
Webcast | Please email Tim Shaw if interested in this topic |
| Insulators Task Force | March 10-13 (In-person) March 17-20 (Virtual) | Charlotte, NC | Meeting Materials |
| EPRI Overhead Transmission Program (P35) New Supplemental Launch Webcast | April 3 2:00 pm - 3:00 pm ET |
Webcast | Meeting Materials |
| EPRI R&D Information Exchange Webcast: Insulator Specification Development within the Changing Supply Chain Landscape (P35.011, P35.012) | April 22 10:30-11:30 am ET | Webcast | Please email Tim Shaw if interested in this topic |
| Insulator Workshop | June 2-6 All day | Lenox, MA | Meeting Materials |
| EPRI R&D Project Update Webcast: Polymer Insulators, Glass and Porcelain Insulators (P35.011, P35.012) | June 12 11:00-12:00 pm ET | Webcast | Meeting Materials |
| Overhead Transmission 2026 ARP Rollout #1 | July 17 10:00 am - 11:00 pm ET | Webcast | Meeting Materials |
| Overhead Transmission 2026 ARP Rollout #2 | July 24 2:00 pm - 3:30 pm ET | Webcast | Meeting Materials |
| Insulators Task Force | August 18-22 (In-person) August 25-29 (Virtual) | Charlotte, NC | Meeting Materials |
| EPRI R&D Project Update Webcast: P35.011 Polymer Insulators, P35.012 Glass and Porcelain Insulators | October 23, 10:30am - 11:30am ET | Webcast | Meeting Materials |
2025 Deliverables
| PID# | Deliverable | Type | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3002032200 | Insulator E-field Modeling Software (Insulator Calculation Engine [ICE]) [Beta] | Pre-Software | December 2025 |
| 3002032777 | Insulator Reference Book (The Violet Book): 2025 Edition | Technical Update | December 2025 |
| 3002032778 | Insulator E-field Modeling Software (Insulator Calculation Engine [ICE]) | Software | December 2025 |
| 3002032784 | Porcelain and Glass Insulator Vintage Guide | Software (web) | December 2025 |
| 3002032785 | Studying Glass Insulator Failures and Break Patterns | Technical Update | December 2025 |