Composite Needle-Type Insulator and Composite Suspension Insulator cover different voltage and mechanical ranges. This comparison puts their rated voltage, dimensions, creepage distance, electrical withstand values, and tension loads in one view so you can match the insulator type to a distribution or transmission line design.
Composite Needle-Type Insulator
Composite Suspension Insulator
The choice between a Composite Needle-Type Insulator and a Composite Suspension Insulator starts with the line arrangement and the specified electrical and mechanical duty. Our needle-type range covers rated voltages from 12 to 36 kV, while the suspension range extends from 15 to 220 kV. Check the voltage class, clearance, creepage distance, and required tension load together.
Compare the specification ranges
The table uses the typical models in each product family. Values are shown in metric units and grouped by product type because the model numbers and voltage steps differ.
| Criterion | Composite Needle-Type Insulator | Composite Suspension Insulator |
|---|---|---|
| Rated voltage in the listed models | 12, 24, and 36 kV | 15, 24, 35, 66, 110, and 220 kV |
| Structure height | 249±5 to 530±5 mm | 390±15 to 2240±30 mm |
| Leakage distance | 500 to 1190 mm | 520 to 6300 mm |
| Arc distance | 180 to 400 mm | 225 to 1900 mm |
| Power frequency withstand voltage, dry | 60 to 110 kV | 65 to 395 kV |
| Lightning impulse withstand voltage | 98 to 235 kV | 145 to 1000 kV |
| Tension load | 10 to 20 kN | 70 to 160 kN |
These are product-family ranges, not a claim that every model has the same values. Match one model's complete row to the line design. A 24 kV needle-type model and a 24 kV suspension model share a rated-voltage label, yet their listed structure heights, leakage distances, arc distances, withstand values, and tension loads are different.
Where the needle-type option fits
The Composite Needle-Type Insulator is shaped for medium and high-voltage distribution systems where the insulator provides electrical insulation and mechanical support for conductors in compact line structures. Its listed models are LP4-12/12.5, FPW-24/12.5, FPW-24/10, FPW-36/10, and LP4-36/12.5. The rated-voltage choices are 12, 24, and 36 kV.
Structure height runs from 249±5 mm on LP4-12/12.5 to 530±5 mm on LP4-36/12.5. Leakage distance runs from 500 to 1190 mm, and arc distance runs from 180 to 400 mm. If your distribution structure has a tight equipment envelope, compare these dimensions with the clearance before selecting the model.
Electrical values change with the model. The listed power frequency withstand voltage, dry, runs from 60 to 110 kV, while lightning impulse withstand voltage runs from 98 to 235 kV. Tension load is listed from 10 to 20 kN, and bending load from 5 to 12.5 kN for the needle-type models. The 24 kV entries include FPW-24/12.5 with 65 or 80 kV dry withstand values, so the complete model row matters within one voltage class.
Picture a compact distribution structure where the conductor support point must fit within a defined height and the line specification calls for a 24 kV or 36 kV class. Measure the installation space against the selected structure height, then match its leakage distance, arc distance, and load values to the design sheet.
Where the suspension option fits
The Composite Suspension Insulator is intended for high-voltage transmission lines, where it supports overhead conductors and insulates the energized line from grounded transmission towers. Its listed models cover 15 kV through 220 kV: FXBW-15/70, FXBW-24/70, FXBW-35/70, FXBW-66/70, FXBW-110/70, FXBW-110/100, FXBW-220/100, and FXBW-220/160 variants.
Structure height runs from 390±15 mm to 2240±30 mm. Leakage distance extends from 520 to 6300 mm, and arc distance from 225 to 1900 mm. At 220 kV, the listed models have 5040 or 6300 mm of leakage distance, with a 1900 mm arc distance. These dimensions matter when you check tower geometry, conductor separation, and the intended insulation path.
Power frequency withstand voltage, dry, ranges from 65 to 395 kV, lightning impulse withstand voltage from 145 to 1000 kV, and tension load from 70 to 160 kN. For example, FXBW-110/70 lists 110 kV rated voltage, 1180±15 mm structure height, 2520 mm leakage distance, 1000 mm arc distance, 230 kV dry withstand, 550 kV lightning impulse withstand, and 70 kN tension load. FXBW-110/100 keeps the same electrical values while listing 1240±15 mm structure height, 3150 mm leakage distance, and 100 kN tension load.
For a transmission project, place the insulator data beside the tower drawing and conductor loading schedule. Check the selected structure height and leakage distance first, then confirm the impulse, dry withstand, and tension-load requirements for the exact model.
Construction and material details
Both families use the same basic composite construction. A fiberglass-reinforced epoxy resin rod carries the mechanical load, and a silicone rubber housing provides the external insulation. The silicone rubber has hydrophobic properties that help limit continuous water films on the surface. Shaped sheds increase the creepage distance along the insulator surface.
We manufacture these composite insulators with an integrated injection molding process and crimping technology for the fittings and glass fiber core rods. We inspect them through an automatic flaw detection system, and our composite insulators meet the technical requirements of GB/T 19519 and IEC 61109. These shared construction details do not remove the need to select the correct product family, voltage class, dimensions, and load values for the line.
Questions to settle before ordering
Which needle-type model covers a 36 kV line?
Two listed needle-type choices are available at 36 kV: FPW-36/10 and LP4-36/12.5. FPW-36/10 has a 430±5 mm structure height, 1150 mm leakage distance, 370 mm arc distance, 110 kV dry withstand, 200 kV lightning impulse withstand, and 20 kN tension load. LP4-36/12.5 has a 530±5 mm structure height, 1190 mm leakage distance, 400 mm arc distance, 110 kV dry withstand, 235 kV lightning impulse withstand, and 20 kN tension load.
Which suspension entries use a 100 kN tension load?
The listed 220 kV models FXBW-220/100 use a 100 kN tension load. Their structure heights are 2150±30 or 2240±30 mm, and their leakage distances are 5040 or 6300 mm. Both list a fitting marking of 16, 1900 mm arc distance, 395 kV dry withstand, and 1000 kV lightning impulse withstand.
What is the lowest listed rated voltage for the suspension family?
The lowest listed suspension rating is 15 kV on FXBW-15/70. That model has a 390±15 mm structure height, 520 mm leakage distance, 225 mm arc distance, 65 kV dry withstand, 145 kV lightning impulse withstand, and 70 kN tension load. Use the complete model values when comparing it with a 12 kV needle-type selection because the product families use different construction formats and load ranges.
Choose from the line design
Choose the Composite Needle-Type Insulator when the design calls for a listed 12, 24, or 36 kV distribution model and its dimensions and loads fit the structure. Choose the Composite Suspension Insulator for a listed suspension configuration from 15 to 220 kV. Send us the rated voltage, required leakage and arc distances, structure dimensions, tension or bending load, and quantity for a model-specific quotation.
About the author
The company
Shaanxi Huayuan Superpower Electric Co., Ltd.
Shaanxi Oumude Electronics Co., Ltd., was established in October 2022 and located in the High-Tech Industrial Park of Hancheng City, Shaanxi Province, is a national-level Sci-Tech SME and High-Tech Enterprise with a registered capital of RMB 20 million and a total project investment exceeding RMB 227 million (including Phase I covering 50 mu with an investment of over RMB 147 million, plus the RMB 80 million production capacity system inherited from the former Huayuan Superpower).…
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