December 01, 2020

December 01, 2020

TRANSMISSION MATERIALS STANDARD SPECIFICATION 15-TMSS-01, Rev.01

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1.0 SCOPE

2.0 CROSS REFERENCES

3.0 APPLICABLE CODES AND STANDARDS

4.0 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General
4.2 Construction
4.3 Ratings
4.4 Dimensions
4.5 Mounting

5.0 TESTS

5.1 Type Tests

5.2 Sample Tests
5.3 Routine Tests
5.4 Special Tests

6.0 DATA SCHEDULE

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TRANSMISSION MATERIALS STANDARD SPECIFICATION 15-TMSS-01, Rev.01

1.0 SCOPE

This Transmission Material Standard Specification (TMSS) specifies the minimum technical
requirements for design, engineering, manufacture, inspection, testing and performance of
indoor/outdoor Station Post Type Insulators intended to be used in the transmission system
of National Grid Saudi Arabia.

2.0 CROSS REFERENCES

This Material Standard Specification shall always be read in conjunction with the latest
revision of National Grid Saudi Arabia General Specification No. 01-TMSS-01, titled
"General Requirements for All Transmission Equipment/Materials" which shall be
considered as an integral part of this TMSS.

This TMSS shall also be read in conjunction with Purchase Order or Contract Schedules for
project, as applicable.

3.0 APPLICABLE CODES AND STANDARDS

The latest revision/amendments of the following Codes and Standards shall be applicable for
the equipment/material covered in this TMSS. In case of conflict, the vendor/manufacturer
may propose equipment/material conforming to one group of Industry Codes and Standards
quoted hereunder without jeopardizing the requirements of this TMSS. In this case, the
vendor/manufacturer shall submit a copy of the proposed standards along with written proof
that the proposed standards in all significant respects are equal to or better than those
specified. Acceptance of any alternative code or standard is at the discretion of National
Grid Saudi Arabia.

3.1 ANSI C29.1 Test Methods for Electrical Power Insulators

3.2 ANSI C29.9 Wet Process Porcelain Insulators (Apparatus, Post Type)

3.3 IEC 60168 Test on Indoor and Outdoor Post Insulators of Ceramic
Materials or Glass for Systems with Nominal Voltages Greater
than 1000 V

3.4 IEC 60273 Characteristics of Indoor and Outdoor Post Insulators for
Systems with Nominal Voltages Greater than 1000 V

3.5 IEC 60437 Radio Interference Tests on High Voltage Insulators

3.6 IEC 60507 Artificial Pollution Tests on High-Voltage Insulators

3.7 IEC 60672-3 Ceramic and glass-insulating materials

3.8 IEC/TS 60815 Selection and dimensioning of high-voltage insulators

intended for use in polluted conditions-Part 1: Definitions,
information and general principles

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TRANSMISSION MATERIALS STANDARD SPECIFICATION 15-TMSS-01, Rev.01

3.9 IEC 60815 Selection and dimensioning of high-voltage insulators

intended for use in polluted conditions-Part 2: Ceramic and
glass insulators for a.c. systems

3.10 IEEE 957 Guide for Cleaning Insulators

4.0 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

4.1 General

4.1.1 Service conditions referenced in the latest revision of 01-TMSS-01 shall be

the basis of design criteria.

4.1.2 The station post insulators shall meet or exceed the requirements of this
specification in all respects.

4.1.3 The station post insulators shall be non-stacking type for 69kV, 110kV,
115kV and 132kV. Post insulators for rated voltage 230 kV shall be stacking
or non-stacking type as per manufacturer’s standard design. However, for
rated voltage 380 kV these shall be stacking type. The stacks assemblies shall
be either uniform-diameter stacks (individual units of identical strength
rating) or tapered stacks (individual units of different strength ratings).

4.1.4 The station post insulators shall be designed with external metal fittings.

4.1.5 The manufacturer’s design drawings, as required in 01-TMSS-01, shall show

the outline of station post insulators, together with all pertinent dimensions.
Any variations in these dimensions due to manufacturing tolerances shall be
indicated. The drawings shall have a minimum of two views with an
appropriate scale. Following information shall be given on the drawings:

a. Type and/or Catalogue number

b. Principal dimensions (length, core diameter, number & diameter of sheds,

shed spacing, and details of metal fittings)

c. Mechanical rating

d. Electrical data (basic electrical characteristics)

e. Creepage distance

f. Approximate weight of insulator unit

g. Zinc coating thickness

h. List of materials

i. All marking

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TRANSMISSION MATERIALS STANDARD SPECIFICATION 15-TMSS-01, Rev.01

4.2 Construction

4.2.1 The shells of station post insulators shall be made of the highest grade, dense,
homogeneous wet-process, and high strength aluminous porcelain type C-130
as per IEC 60672-3. The porcelain used shall be non-porous with high
dielectric strength, chemically inert and high fusion point. The insulators
shall be designed to withstand a water jet pressure of 3800kPa when washed
in accordance with IEEE 957.

4.2.2 The entire exposed porcelain surface of the station post insulators shall be
standard glazed and shall be brown in color. The entire porcelain surface
shall be smooth and free from imperfections.

4.2.3 Metal parts shall be made of a good commercial grade of malleable iron,
ductile iron or forged steel, galvanized in accordance with 01-TMSS-01.

4.2.4 Portland cement or Alumina cement shall be used as the bonding material for
jointing and for filling the gap between the porcelain and metal fittings.
Sulfur based cements shall not be used.

4.2.5 The outdoor station post insulators shall be shaped for effective natural
cleaning and effective use of Creepage (Leakage) distance for desert
conditions. The shed profile shall be aerodynamic type (open profile) without
under- ribs and designed in accordance with IEC/TS 60815-2.

4.2.6 The indoor station post insulators shall be shaped in such a way as to be
suitable for horizontal, vertical or inverted mounting, without creating a
potential problem of dust-collection.

4.2.7 The station post porcelain insulators shall be of solid cylindrical core
construction. When station post insulators with puncture proof hollow core
construction are required, these shall be mutually agreed between National
Grid Saudi Arabia and the manufacturer.

4.2.8 Multi-cone type construction is not acceptable.

4.3 Ratings

4.3.1 Outdoor Post Insulators

The outdoor station post insulators shall have the minimum electrical and
mechanical characteristics per Table I and Table II respectively.

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TRANSMISSION MATERIALS STANDARD SPECIFICATION 15-TMSS-01, Rev.01

4.3.2 Indoor Post Insulators

The indoor station post insulators shall have the minimum electrical and
mechanical characteristics per Table III.

4.3.3 Creepage Distance

The outdoor station post insulators shall have a minimum creepage/leakage

distance of 40 mm/kV (Line to line/Nominal System Voltage) as specified in
the latest revision of 01-TMSS-01.

The indoor station post insulators shall have minimum creepage/leakage distance of
25 mm/kV (Line to line/Nominal System Voltage) as specified in the latest revision
of 01-TMSS-01.

Table I: Electrical Characteristics Outdoor Post Insulators

Nominal Impulse Critical Power Frequency Radio- Interference

Voltage Withstand Impulse Withstand Voltage (RIV) Data
Voltage Flashover Voltage, Wet Low Freq. Max RIV
(Positive) 10 Seconds, Test Voltage @1 MHz
(kVrms) (kVpeak) (kVpeak) (kVrms) (kVrms) (V)

69 350 390 145 44 200

110 650 710 275 88 200

115 650 710 275 88 200

132 750 810 315 103 500

230 1050 1210 455 146 500

380* 1425 1610 590 220 1000

* 380kV station post insulator shall withstand Basic Switching Impulse Voltage of 1050kVpeak.

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Table II: Mechanical Characteristics Outdoor Post Insulators

Nominal Overall Cantilever Tensile Compression Torsional

Voltage Height Strength Strength Strength Strength

(kVrms) (mm) (kN) (kN) (kN) (kN.m)

69 762 10 120 260 4.5

110 1372 10 120 330 10

115 1372 10 120 330 10

132 1575 10 120 330 10

230 2337 10 180 440 13.5

380 4600 12 180 440 13.5

Note: The mechanical characteristics specified in Table II shall be applicable when outdoor station post
insulators are mounted in the upright position. For other mounting arrangements such as horizontal or
inverted position, these shall be mutually agreed between Grid Saudi Arabia and the manufacturer.

Table III: Electrical and Mechanical Characteristics Indoor Post Insulator

Nominal Mechanical
Electrical Characteristics
Voltage Characteristics
Impulse Dry RIV Data Overall Cantilever
Withstand Withstand Low Freq Max RIV Height Strength
1 Minute Test Voltage @1 MHz
(kVrms) (kVpeak) (kVrms) (kVrms) (V) (mm) (kN)

69 325 140 44 200 660 8

4.4 Dimensions

The nominal dimensions for outdoor and indoor post insulators shall be as shown in
Table II and Table III respectively and shall be as specified in Data Schedule. The
tolerances applicable to all dimensions except the minimum Creepage (Leakage)
distance shall be in accordance with IEC 60168, IEC 60273 or ANSI C29.9.

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TRANSMISSION MATERIALS STANDARD SPECIFICATION 15-TMSS-01, Rev.01

4.5 Mounting

4.5.1 Holes

The base of the station post insulators shall have Unified National Coarse
(UNC) threaded tapped bolt holes and/or plain holes as required on standard
bolt circles for interchangeability and ease of mounting. Holes in top and
bottom fittings shall be in line and they shall be so arranged as to permit the
use of standard hexagon bolt heads and nuts. Number of bolts, bolt size, bolt
arrangement and kind of thread with bolt circle shall be per Table IV.

Table IV: Post Insulator Mounting Arrangement

Nominal Mounting Arrangement

Voltage
Top Bottom

Bolt No. of Bolt Bolt Thread Bolt No. Bolt Bolt Thread
(kVrms)
Circle Bolts Arrangement Size (UNC) Circle of Arrangement Size (UNC)
(mm) (degree) (mm) (mm) Bolts (degree) (mm)

69
127 4 90 16 11 127 4 90 16 11
(Note 1, 2)

110 127 4 90 16 11 127 4 90 16 11

115 127 4 90 16 11 127 4 90 16 11

132 127 4 90 16 11 127 4 90 16 11

127 127
16 or 11 or 16 or 11 or
230 or 4 90 or 4 90
20 10 20 10
178 178
325
380
127 4 90 16 11 or 8 45 18 -
(Note 3)
356
Notes:
1. For 69kV indoor/outdoor station post insulators, mounting arrangements are the same.
2. For 69kV if post insulators are to be used for replacement supply orders, the bolt circle diameter
shall be the same as already used on the existing installations.
3. Bottom flange for 380kV post insulators shall be constructed with 18 mm diameter through holes
without any threads.

4.5.2 Position

The station post insulators may be mounted either upright, horizontally or

inverted positions as specified in data schedule.

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4.5.3 Adapter Plates and Spacers

When required, adapter plates and spacers shall be made of hot dip
galvanized steel and sized as specified in Data Schedule.

4.6 Markings

4.6.1 Insulator/Stack Marking

Each insulator or stack unit shall bear a legible and durable marking as
specified in IEC 60168, IEC 60273, or ANSI C29.9 standard identifying the
following:

a. Manufacturer's Name
b. Year of Manufacture
c. Catalog Number
d. Cantilever Strength
e. Nominal Voltage and BIL Rating
f. Country of Origin

4.6.2 Crate Marking

a. Voltage Rating
b. Insulator Shell (Porcelain/Other Material)
c. Insulator Type (Indoor/Outdoor)
d. Purchase Order Number/Contract Number
e. 15-TMSS-01, Rev.01
f. Manufacturer’s Catalogue No
g. Number of Insulators in Crate
h. Weight of Crate
i. Country of Origin

5.0 TESTS

All test results shall be provided for review and acceptance by National Grid Saudi Arabia.

5.1 Type Tests

All type tests prescribed in the relevant ANSI or equivalent IEC standards including, but
not limited to the following shall be performed on the representative unit or on the first
unit of every new design to be supplied to National Grid Saudi Arabia.

a. Dry power-frequency withstand voltage test (post insulators for indoor use).
Optionally manufacturer may perform wet power frequency withstand voltage
test same as applicable for outdoor post insulators.

b. Wet power-frequency withstand voltage (post insulators for outdoor use)

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c. Dry lightning impulse withstand voltage test

d. Wet switching impulse withstand voltage test (380kV post insulators for outdoor
use)

e. Radio interference voltage test

f. Mechanical failing load test (Cantilever/Bending test)

In lieu of the actual type tests, certified test reports of type tests performed on an
equivalent design by an accredited Independent Testing Laboratory may be submitted to
National Grid Saudi Arabia for review and approval during bidding stage. An equivalent
design of long rod insulator is defined:

An electrically equivalent insulator unit is a type made in the same factory, with the
same materials, and by the same process and has, in addition, the following
characteristics:

a. the arcing distance is the same or greater

b. the nominal core diameter is the same or smaller

c. the number and approximate position of metal fittings is the same

d. the nominal shed spacing is the same within ±5 %

e. the nominal shed projection is the same within ±10 %

f. the shed profile is the same

A mechanically equivalent insulator unit is a type made in the same factory, with the
same materials, by the same process, and having the same strength class, the same
coupling size and the same design of connection between insulating components and
metal parts. In addition, it has the following characteristics:

a. the nominal core diameter is the same;

b. the design of the connection between the insulating component and the metal
fittings is the same;

c. the shape and size of the parts of the metal fittings which connect to the
insulating components are the same;

d. the nominal height does not differ by more than ±20 %.

5.2 Sample Tests

Sample tests shall be carried out to verify the characteristics of an insulator which
can vary with manufacturing process and quality of the component materials of the
insulator. All sample tests prescribed in the relevant IEC or ANSI standard including
but not limited to the following shall be performed on a sample of post insulators
taken at random from a lot as specified in IEC 60168, which has met the

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requirements of the relevant routine tests prior to delivery to National Grid Saudi
Arabia:

a. Verification of dimensions

b. Temperature cycle test

c. Mechanical failing load test (Cantilever/Bending test)

d. Porosity test

e. Galvanizing test

The number of post insulators to be selected for sample tests shall be in accordance
with the sampling rules specified in IEC 60168.

5.3 Routine (Production) tests

Routine tests are intended to eliminate defective units and are carried out during the
manufacturing process. Routine tests shall be carried out on every insulator.

All routine visual inspection / mechanical tests prescribed in the IEC or ANSI
standard shall be performed on insulators prior to delivery to National Grid Saudi
Arabia.

5.3.1 The ultrasonic test shall be performed on solid core insulators and the
puncture test shall be performed on hollow core porcelain insulators.

5.3.2 Routine flashover test shall be performed on hollow core porcelain insulators.

5.4 Special Tests

The pollution test shall be performed on the station post insulators of new design in
accordance with requirements of IEC 60507.

5.4.1 Salt fog method (to simulate coastal pollution). The value of salinity shall be
80 kg/m3. This method shall be applicable when station post insulators are
used in the coastal areas.

5.4.2 Solid layer method (to simulate inland pollution). The value of ESDD shall
be 0.3 mg/cm2. This method shall be applicable when station post insulators
are used in the inland areas.

The manufacturer shall verify from the contract/purchase order documents and/or
concerned department in National Grid, Saudi Arabia about the type of area as
coastal or inland.

The pollution test may also be performed optionally on the existing insulator designs
if requested in the Data Schedule.

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6.0 DATA SCHEDULE

INSULATORS, STATION POST TYPE, PORCELAIN, INDOOR/OUTDOOR

69kV THROUGH 380kV

Enquiry No. Date:

Purchase Order No. Date:

or Contract No.

PTS No./Project Title with J.O. No.

REFERENCE
SECTION NO. DESCRIPTION 'A' 'B' 'C'

3.0 APPLICABLE CODES AND STANDARDS

Applicable industry standard *

4.0 DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION REQUIREMENTS

Model Designation *

4.1 Application Indoor/

Outdoor
Type (Solid core/Hollow Core) *
Stack Assembly (Tapered/Uniform) *

4.2 Material
Insulator Shell Porcelain
Insulator Glaze Standard
Color Brown

4.3 Ratings

Electrical Ratings

Nominal System Voltage

(69/110/115/132/230/380 kVrms)
Basic Impulse Withstand voltage (kVpeak) *

A'- SPECIFIED DATA/PARAMETER.

'B'- BIDDER/SUPPLIER/VENDOR/CONTRACTOR PROPOSED DATA/PARAMETERS.
'C'- REMARKS SUPPORTING THE PROPOSED DEVIATION IN COLUMN 'B'.
(*)- DATA/PARAMETER TO BE PROVIDED/PROPOSED BY THE BIDDER/SUPPLIER/
VENDOR/CONTRACTOR IN COLUMN 'B'.

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6.0 DATA SCHEDULE

INSULATORS, STATION POST TYPE, PORCELAIN, INDOOR/OUTDOOR

69kV THROUGH 380kV

REFERENCE
SECTION NO. DESCRIPTION 'A' 'B' 'C'

4.3 Ratings (Continued)

Basic Switching Impulse Withstand Voltage

for 380kV (kVpeak) *
Power Frequency Withstand Voltage *
Wet (for outdoor insulator) (kVrms) *
Dry (for indoor insulator) (kVrms) *
Critical Impulse Flashover Voltage (Positive)
*
(for outdoor insulator) (kVpeak)
Creepage (Leakage) Distance Indoor/Outdoor
40/25
post insulators (mm)
RIV Data
Low Frequency Test Voltage (kVrms) *
Maximum RIV @ 1MHz (V) *

Mechanical Characteristics

Overall Height (mm)

Cantilever Strength (kN)
Tensile Strength (outdoor insulator) (kN)
Compression Strength (outdoor insulator)
(kN)
Torsional Strength (kN.m)
Largest shed diameter (mm) *
Weight (kg) *

4.5 Mounting

Top:
Bolt Circle (mm) *
Number of Bolts *
Bolt Arrangement (90) *
Bolt Size (mm) *
Kind of Thread (UNC) *

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6.0 DATA SCHEDULE

INSULATORS, STATION POST TYPE, PORCELAIN, INDOOR/OUTDOOR

69kV THROUGH 380kV

REFERENCE
SECTION NO. DESCRIPTION 'A' 'B' 'C'

4.5 Mounting (Continued)

Base

Bolt Circle (mm)

Number of Bolt *
Bolt Arrangement (90/45) *
Bolt Size (mm) *
Kind of Thread (UNC) *

Adapter Plates or Spacers required Yes/No

Size *

5.0 TESTS

5.4 Is Pollution Test required? Yes/No

Is Pollution Test performed? Yes/No

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6.0 DATA SCHEDULE

INSULATORS, STATION POST TYPE, PORCELAIN, INDOOR/OUTDOOR

69kV THROUGH 380kV

A. ADDITIONAL TECHNICAL INFORMATION OR FEATURES TO BE FURNISHED BY

NATIONAL GRID SA:

B. ADDITIONAL SUPPLEMENTARY DATA OR FEATURES PROPOSED BY

BIDDER/VENDOR/SUPPLIER/CONTRACTOR:

C. OTHER PARTICULARS TO BE FILLED UP BY BIDDER/VENDOR/SUPPLIER/

CONTRACTOR:

Actual Manufacturer Vendor/Supplier/

of Equipment/Material Contractor

Name of the Company

Location and address

Name and Signature of

authorized
representative
and date

Official Seal/Stamp
of the Company &
Date

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