BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018

BSI Standards Publication

Composite string insulator units for overhead lines

with a nominal voltage greater than 1 000 V

Part 2: Dimensional and electrical characteristics

BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018 BRITISH STANDARD

National foreword
This British Standard is the UK implementation of
EN 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018. It is identical to IEC 61466‑2:1998,
incorporating amendment 1:2002 and amendment 2:2018. It supersedes
BS EN 61466‑2:1999, which is withdrawn.
The start and finish of text introduced or altered by amendment is
indicated in the text by tags. Tags indicating changes to IEC text carry
the number of the IEC amendment. For example, text altered by IEC
amendment A1 is indicated by  .
The UK participation in its preparation was entrusted to Technical
Committee PEL/36, Insulators for power systems.
A list of organizations represented on this committee can be obtained on
request to its secretary.
This publication does not purport to include all the necessary provisions
of a contract. Users are responsible for its correct application.
© The British Standards Institution 2018
Published by BSI Standards Limited 2018
ISBN 978 0 580 92488 0
ICS 29.080.10; 29.240.20
Compliance with a British Standard cannot confer immunity from
legal obligations.
This British Standard was published under the authority of the
Standards Policy and Strategy Committee on 15 February 1999.

Amendments/corrigenda issued since publication

Date Text affected

17 October 2002 Replacement of Clause 1, Table 1 and addition of

Clause 8
30 September 2018 Implementation of IEC amendment 1:2002 with
CENELEC endorsement A1:2002

30 September 2018 Implementation of IEC amendment 2:2018 with

CENELEC endorsement A2:2018
EUROPEAN STANDARD EN 61466‑2:1998
NORME EUROPÉENNE +A2
EUROPÄISCHE NORM August 2018

ICS 29.080.10; 29.240.20

English Version

Composite string insulator units for overhead lines with

a nominal voltage greater than 1 kV – Part 2: Dimensional
and electrical characteristics (IEC 61466-2:1998)
lsolateurs composites destines aux lignes Verbund-Kettenisolatoren fur Freileitungen mit
aeriennes de tension nominale superieure a einer Nennspannung Ober 1 kV – Teil 2: MaBe und
1 kV – Partie 2: Caracteristiques dimensionnelles elektrische KenngroBen (IEC 61466-2:1998}
et electriques (CEI 61466-2:1998}

This European Standard was approved by CENELEC on 1998-10-01. CENELEC members are bound to comply with the
CEN/CENELEC Internal Regulations which stipulate the conditions for giving this European Standard the status of a
national standard without any alteration.

Up-to-date lists and bibliographical references concerning such national standards may be obtained on application to the
Central Secretariat or to any CENELEC member.

This European Standard exists in three official versions (English, French, German). A version in any other language
made by translation under the responsibility of a CENELEC member into its own language and notified to the Central
Secretariat has the same status as the official versions.

CENELEC members are the national electrotechnical committees of Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic,Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland
and United Kingdom.

CEN-CENELEC Management Centre: Avenue Marnix 17, B-1000 Brussels

© 2018 CENELEC All rights of exploitation in any form and by any means reserved Ref. No. EN 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018: E
worldwide for CENELEC members
BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
EN 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018 (E)

European foreword
The text of document 36B/179/FDIS, future edition 1 of IEC 61466‑2, prepared by SC 36B, Insulators
for overhead lines, of IEC TC 36, Insulators, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and was
approved by CENELEC as EN 61466‑2 on 1998-10-01.
The following dates were fixed:

— latest date by which the EN has to be implemented at national

level by publication of an identical national standard or by en‑
dorsement (dop) 1999-07-01

— latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the

EN have to be withdrawn (dow) 2001-07-01
Annexes designated "normative" are part of the body of the standard.
Annexes designated "informative" are given for information only.
In this standard, annex ZA is normative and annex A is informative.
Annex ZA has been added by CENELEC.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61466‑2:1998 was approved by CENELEC as a European
Standard without any modification.

Foreword to amendment A1
The text of document 36B/202/FDIS, future amendment 1 to IEC 61466‑2:1998, prepared by SC 36B,
Insulators for overhead lines, of IEC TC 36, Insulators, was submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote
and was approved by CENELEC as amendment A1 to EN 61466‑2:1998 on 2002-03-01.
The following dates were fixed:

— latest date by which the amendment has to be implemented at

national level by publication of an identical national standard or
by endorsement (dop) 2002-12-01

— latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the

amendment have to be withdrawn (dow) 2005-03-01

Endorsement notice
The text of amendment 1:2002 to the International Standard IEC 61466‑2:1998 was approved by
CENELEC as an amendment to the European Standard without any modification.

Foreword to amendment A2
The text of document 36/427/FDIS, future IEC 61466‑2:1998/A2, prepared by IEC/TC 36 "Insulators" was
submitted to the IEC-CENELEC parallel vote and approved by CENELEC as EN 61466‑2:1998/A2:2018.
The following dates are fixed:

ii
 BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
EN 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018 (E)

• latest date by which the document has to be implemented at (dop) 2019-03-13

national level by publication of an identical national standard
or by endorsement

• latest date by which the national standards conflicting with the (dow) 2021-06-13
document have to be withdrawn
Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this document may be the subject of
patent rights. CENELEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such patent rights.

Endorsement notice
The text of the International Standard IEC 61466‑2:1998/A2:2018 was approved by CENELEC as a
European Standard without any modification.

 iii
BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
EN 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018 (E)

Annex ZA
(normative)

Normative references to international publications with their

corresponding European publications

The following documents are referred to in the text in such a way that some or all of their content
constitutes requirements of this document. For dated references, only the edition cited applies. For
undated references, the latest edition of the referenced document (including any amendments) applies.
NOTE 1 Where an International Publication has been modified by common modifications, indicated by (mod),
the relevant EN/HD applies.

NOTE 2 Up-to-date information on the latest versions of the European Standards listed in this annex is
available here: www.cenelec.eu.

Publication Year Title EN/HD Year

IEC 60071‑1 1993 Insulation co-ordination – Part 1: Definitions, principles IEC 60071‑1 1995
and rules

IEC 60071‑2 1976 Part 2: Application guide HD 540.2 S11) 1991

IEC/TS 60815‑3 – Selection and dimensioning of high-voltage – insulators – –

intended for use in polluted conditions – Part 3: Poly‑
mer insulators for a.c. systems

IEC 61109 1992 Composite insulators for a.c. overhead lines with a – –
nominal voltage greater than 1 kV – Definitions, test
methods and acceptance criteria

IEC 61466‑1 1997 Composite string insulator units for overhead lines with IEC 61466‑1 1997
a nominal voltage greater than 1 kV – Part 1: Standard
strength classes and end fittings

iv
 BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
IEC 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018

Contents Page

FOREWORD................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... vi
1 Scope.................................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 1
2 Normative references....................................................................................................................................................................................... 1
3 Mechanical and dimensional characteristics.......................................................................................................................... 1
4 Electrical characteristics............................................................................................................................................................................... 2
5 Designation................................................................................................................................................................................................................. 2
6 Marking........................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
7 Tolerances.................................................................................................................................................................................................................... 2
8 Field control and arc protection devices...................................................................................................................................... 2
Annex A (informative) Information on creepage distance............................................................................................................. 6

© ISO 2018 – All rights reserved  v

BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
EN 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018 (E)

FOREWORD
1) The IEC (International Electrotechnical Commission) is a worldwide organization for
standardization comprising all national electrotechnical committees (IEC National Committees).
The object of the IEC is to promote international co-operation on all questions concerning
standardization in the electrical and electronic fields. To this end and in addition to other activities,
the IEC publishes International Standards. Their preparation is entrusted to technical committees;
any IEC National Committee interested in the subject dealt with may participate in this preparatory
work. International, governmental and non-governmental organizations liaising with the IEC also
participate in this preparation. The IEC collaborates closely with the International Organization for
Standardization (ISO) in accordance with conditions determined by agreement between the two
organizations.
2) The formal decisions or agreements of the IEC on technical matters express, as nearly as possible,
an international consensus of opinion on the relevant subjects since each technical committee has
representation from all interested National Committees.
3) The documents produced have the form of recommendations for international use and are
published in the form of standards, technical reports or guides and they are accepted by the
National Committees in that sense.
4) In order to promote international unification, IEC National Committees undertake to apply IEC
International Standards transparently to the maximum extent possible in their national and
regional standards. Any divergence between the IEC Standard and the corresponding national or
regional standard shall be clearly indicated in the latter.
5) The IEC provides no marking procedure to indicate its approval and cannot be rendered responsible
for any equipment declared to be in conformity with one of its standards.
6) Attention is drawn to the possibility that some of the elements of this International Standard may
be the subject of patent rights. The IEC shall not be held responsible for identifying any or all such
patent rights.
International Standard IEC 61466‑2 has been prepared by subcommittee 36B: Insulators for overhead
lines, of IEC technical committee 36: Insulators.
The text of this standard is based on the following documents:

FDIS Report on voting

36B/179/FDIS 36B/183/RVD

Full information on the voting for the approval of this standard can be found in the report on voting
indicated in the above table.
Annex A is for information only.

vi
 BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
IEC 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018

Composite string insulator units for overhead lines with a

nominal voltage greater than 1 000 V —
Part 2:
Dimensional and electrical characteristics
INTRODUCTION to Amendment 2
Amendment 2 implements the introduction of UHV (ultra-high voltage) applications and the relevant
characteristics of composite insulators.

1 Scope
This part of IEC 61466 is applicable to composite string insulator units with a specified mechanical
load (SML) of 40 kN to 600 kN for AC overhead lines with a nominal voltage greater than 1 000 V and a
frequency not greater than 100 Hz.
It also applies to insulators of similar design used in substations or for railway applications.
This standard applies to string insulator units of composite type with fittingsin accordance with
IEC 61466‑1.
This standard specifies values for electrical and dimensional characteristics for composite
insulators for overhead lines with a minimum lightning impulse withstand voltage (BIL) up to 3 100 kV
and a specified mechanical load (SML) of 40 kN to 600 kN.

NOTE General definitions and methods of testing are given in IEC 61109.

2 Normative references
The following normative documents contain provisions which, through reference in this text,
constitute provisions of this part of IEC 61466. At the time of publication, the editions indicated were
valid. All normative documents are subjected to revision, and parties to agreements based on this part
of IEC 61466 are encouraged to investigate the possibility of applying the most recent editions of the
normative documents indicated below. Members of IEC and ISO maintain registers of currently valid
International Standards.
IEC 60071‑1:1993, Insulation co-ordination — Part 1: Definitions, principles and rules
IEC 60071‑2:1976, Insulation co-ordination — Part 2: Application guide
IEC TS 60815‑3, Selection and dimensioning of high-voltage insulators intended for use in polluted
conditions — Part 3: Polymer insulators for a.c. systems
IEC 61109:1992, Composite insulators for a.c. overhead lines with a nominal voltage greater than 1 000 V —
Definitions, test methods and acceptance criteria
IEC 61466‑1:1997, Composite string insulator units for overhead lines with a nominal voltage greater than
1 000 V — Part 1: Standard strength classes and end fittings

3 Mechanical and dimensional characteristics

Composite string insulator units are standardized by the following mechanical and dimensional
characteristics:

  1
BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
IEC 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018

– specified mechanical load (SML)

– type of couplings

– minimum creepage distance

– minimum arcing distance
– maximum diameter of insulating part

Table 1 gives a minimum creepage distance for each insulator along with the highest voltage for
equipment based on a specific creepage distance of 16 mm/kV (phase/phase). This voltage is given for
information only. Other values of specific creepage distance may be required. Further information on
composite insulator creepage distances can be found in annex A.

4 Electrical characteristics
Composite string insulator units are standardized by the standard lightning impulse withstand voltage,
for which values are given in table 1.
The wet power frequency withstand voltage shall be that given in IEC 60071‑1, unless otherwise
stipulated by national regulations or practice.
NOTE – General definitions, principles, rules and application guidelines for insulation co-ordination are given
in IEC 60071‑1 and IEC 60071‑2.

5 Designation
Composite insulators are designated in table 1 as follows:
— by the letters CS followed by a number indicating the specified mechanical load (SML) in
kilonewtons (kN);
— the letters X and Z, representing the couplings in accordance with IEC 61466‑1;
— the two numbers separated by a solidus indicate the standard lightning impulse withstand voltage
and the minimum creepage distance.

6 Marking
The insulator shall be marked in accordance with IEC 61466‑1.

7 Tolerances
The dimensions given in table 1 are the absolute minima or maxima; hence no tolerances are applicable.
The dimensions and tolerances of insulators supplied in compliance with this standard shall be shown
on the manufacturer’s drawing.

8 Field control and arc protection devices

For higher system voltages field control devices may be necessary. When such devices are fitted on the
insulators, the arcing distance in Table 1 shall be determined considering their presence. If separate arc
protection devices are used, the required additional striking distance can be extrapolated.

2 
 BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
IEC 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018

Table 1 — Designation and characteristics of composite insulators

Desig‑ Specified mechanical loads (SML) Standard Minimum Minimum dry Highest voltage for
nation a (typical values in white area) lightning creepage arcing dis‑ equipment based
impulse distance d tance c on 27,8 mm/kV
with‑ unified specific
stand creepage distance d
voltage b
kN kV mm mm kV
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 60 195 100 12
(XZ)-60-
195
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 75 195 125 12
(XZ)-75-
195
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 75 280 125 17,5
(XZ)-75-
280
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 95 195 160 12
(XZ)-95-
195
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 95 280 160 17,5
(XZ)-95-
280
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 95 385 160 24
(XZ)-95-
385
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 125 385 210 24
(XZ)-125-
385
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 145 385 240 24
(XZ)-145-
385
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 145 580 240 36
(XZ)-145-
580
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 170 580 285 36
(XZ)-170-
580
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 250 835 435 52
(XZ)-250-
835
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 325 1 160 570 72,5
(XZ)-325-
1160
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 450 1 970 815 123
(XZ)-450-
1970
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 450 2 320 815 145
(XZ)-450-
2320
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 550 1 970 1 005 123
(XZ)-550-
1970
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 550 2 320 1 005 145
(XZ)-550-
2320

  3
BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
IEC 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018

Desig‑ Specified mechanical loads (SML) Standard Minimum Minimum dry Highest voltage for
nation a (typical values in white area) lightning creepage arcing dis‑ equipment based
impulse distance d tance c on 27,8 mm/kV
with‑ unified specific
stand creepage distance d
voltage b
kN kV mm mm kV
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 550 2 720 1 005 170
(XZ)-550-
2720
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 650 2 320 1 195 145
(XZ)-650-
2320
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 650 2 720 1 195 170
(XZ)-650-
2720
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 650 3 920 1 195 245
(XZ)-650-
3920
CS(SML) 40 70 100 120 160 210 750 2 720 1 395 170
(XZ)-750-
2720
CS(SML) 70 100 120 160 210 300 750 3 920 1 395 245
(XZ)-750-
3920
CS(SML) 70 100 120 160 210 300 850 3 920 1 585 245
(XZ)-850-
3920
CS(SML) 70 100 120 160 210 300 950 3 920 1 775 245
(XZ)-950-
3920
CS(SML) 70 100 120 160 210 300 1050 3 920 1 970 245
(XZ)-
1050-
3920
CS(SML) 160 210 300 400 1050 4 800 2 100 300
(XZ)-
1050-
4800
CS(SML) 160 210 300 400 1175 5 795 2 400 362
(XZ)-
1175-
5795
CS(SML) 160 210 300 400 550 600 1425 6 720 2 800 420
(XZ)-
1425-
6720
CS(SML) 160 210 300 400 550 600 1550 8 800 3 800 e 550
(XZ)-
1550-
8800
CS(SML) 160 210 300 400 550 600 1800 8 800 4 000 e 550
(XZ)-
1800-
8800

4 
 BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
IEC 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018

Desig‑ Specified mechanical loads (SML) Standard Minimum Minimum dry Highest voltage for
nation a (typical values in white area) lightning creepage arcing dis‑ equipment based
impulse distance d tance c on 27,8 mm/kV
with‑ unified specific
stand creepage distance d
voltage b
kN kV mm mm kV
CS(SML) 160 210 300 400 550 600 2100 12 800 5 500 e 800
(XZ)-
2100-
12800
CS(SML) 160 210 300 400 550 600 2550 17 600 6 500 e 1 100
(XZ)-
2550-
17600
CS(SML) 160 210 300 400 550 600 2700 19 200 8 000 e 1 200
(XZ)-
2700-
19200
CS(SML) 160 210 300 400 550 600 2900 19 200 8 000 e 1 200
(XZ)-
2900-
19200
CS(SML) 160 210 300 400 550 600 3100 19 200 8 500 e 1 200
(XZ)-
3100-
19200
a The letters CS followed by a number indicating the specified mechanical load (SML) in kN (XZ) are the cou‑
pling code letters in accordance with IEC 61466‑1, followed by the lightning impulse withstand voltage (BIL) in
kV and the creepage distance in mm, for examples, CS(160)(CC)-550-2480.
b When using arc protection devices, greater values of lightning impulse withstand voltage for the insulator
may be specified by the customer, for voltage levels of Um > 245 kV the switching withstand voltage becomes
the dominating design criterion.
c The minimum arcing distance is specified considering conductor-structure gap characteristics, rather than a
maximum section length (distance between couplings), because the diversity of end fitting types and materials
makes it impractical, at the time of publication of this document, to standardize the section length.
d This column is given for information only and the values refer to “light” polluted environment. For supple‑
mentary information on creepage distance see IEC 60815‑3 and Annex A.
e These figures are indicative for normal altitude (< 1 000 m) and not considering switching impulse strength.
Thus these values can be higher or lower if proven by the applicable withstand tests of the specific string or set
configuration considering grading and power arc protection devices, especially for different switching with‑
stand voltage ratings.

  5
BS EN 61466‑2:1999+A2:2018
IEC 61466‑2:1998+A2:2018

Annex A
(informative)

Information on creepage distance

Table 1 gives values of the highest voltage for equipment Um based on a unified specific creepage
distance of 27,8 mm/kV (line to earth). Experience to date indicates that this unified specific creepage
distance is satisfactory for areas where pollution performance is not considered to be a critical factor.
The user will need to consider any change of creepage distance (increase or even decrease) necessary
to ensure adequate performance for the environmental conditions (e.g. pollution level, exposure time,
wetting conditions) encountered in each area of application. Creepage distance for composite insulators
shall be designed in accordance with IEC TS 60815‑3.

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