Glossary

  Symbols    Back to index

( ) - encloses notes in listings, i.e.: (glass dot)

/ - begins next line in listing, i.e.: BROOKFIELD/45 CLIFF St./NEW YORK

(arc) - preceeds each arced line of markings, i.e.: (arc)BROOKFIELD

  B    Back to index

Ball & Socket - Connection type for suspension insulator. Ball shaped pin fits into socket shaped slot on cap.

Base - The very bottom surface of an insulator

BE, Base Embossed - An insulator base type that has embossed markings on the base

Blot - Blank spots or circles on surface of insulator intended to erase or blot-out original markings or mistakes

  C    Back to index

Cable Insulator - Insulator with a saddle groove

Cap - Piece at top center of suspension insulator disc used for connections. Usually metal.

CB, Corrugated Base - An insulator base type that has a textured surface

CD, Continuous Drip - An insulator base type that intentionally extends lower on one side of the base than the opposite side

CD-Number - Number assigned to glass insulators, by shape. Universally accepted by collectors

CDP, Corrugated Drip Points - An insulator base type that has corrugated projections

Connection Type - Used to describe the type of connection on suspension insulators

Clevis & Pin - Connection type for suspension insulator. Cap is clevis shaped and pin is eye shaped

Crown - Section of insulator between dome and wire groove OR on cable insulators - top of insulator from upper wire ridge to saddle groove

Crown Face - section of crown between crown edge and saddle groove

Crown Edge - side of crown opposite to saddle groove

Crown Embossed - Describes an insulator that has embossed markings on its crown

Crown Marked - Describes an insulator that has markings on its crown

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Date Code - Numbers and/or symbols found on some insulators, indicating the year of manufacture of particular molds and/or insulators.

Date Range - Time span indicating probable range of manufacture or marking of insulator

Disc - Disc shaped portion of suspension insulator

Disc Front - Top side of a suspension insulator disc from disc hump or cap to disc edge. Front can be determined as the side with the Primary Marking or as noted.

Disc Edge - Outer vertical edge of suspension disc

Disc Hump - Center portion of Hewlett type suspension insulator disc

Disc Rear - Top side of a suspension insulator disc from disc hump or cap to disc edge. Rear is determined as opposite the front.

Dome - Very top section of an insulator

Drip Points - Projections extending down from base of an insulator

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Ears - ear-like projections on or near the top of an insulator forming a saddle groove

EMB, Embossing - Markings raised from the surface of the insulator

  F    Back to index

FDP, Flat Drip Points - An insulator base type that has flattened projections

Front Crown - Front section of insulator from top wire ridge to dome and between the mold lines. Front can be determined as the side with the Primary Marking or as noted.

Front Skirt - Front section of insulator from bottom wire ridge to base and between the mold lines. Front can be determined as the side with the Primary Marking or as noted.

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GB, Grooved Base - An insulator base type that has a continuous groove

Glass dot - Embossed dot on glass insulator surface

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Hewlett(fishtail) - Strain-type suspension insulator with no cap, interlocking U-shaped connection holes forming a hump and characteristic concave disc edge

Hewlett(suspension) - Suspension insulator with no cap, interlocking U-shaped connection holes forming a hump, and characteristic flat disc edge

Hook & Eye - Connection type for suspension insulator using an eye on the cap with a hook shaped pin

  I    Back to index

INC, Incuse - Marking type that is recessed into the surface of the insulator

Index - Number designating the embossed index of glass insulators. Universally accepted by collectors. Used here only as a reference.

  L    Back to index

Left Centered - Marking that is significantly closer to the left mold line than to the right mold line instead of centered equally between the two mold lines

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M-Number - Number assigned to multipart porcelain insulators, by shape. Universally accepted by collectors

MLOD - Acronym for Mold Line Over Dome

  N    Back to index

NE, No Embossing - Primary marking designation for a glass insulator with no embossed

NM, No Marking - Primary marking designation for any insulator with no markings

NN, No Name - Primary marking designation for an insulator with no manufacturer or distributor name marking

  P    Back to index

Pin - Projection extending from underside center of suspension disc used for connections. Usually metal.

Plastic Dot - Embossed dot on plastic insulator

Primary Embossing - Main embossing on a glass insulator. Usually a manufacturer or distributor company name

Primary Marking - Main marking on any insulator. Usually a manufacturer or distributor company name

  R    Back to index

RB, Rounded Base - An insulator base type that has a continuous rounded edge along the outside of the base

RDP, Round Drip Points - An insulator base type that has a round shaped projections

Rear Crown - Rear section of insulator from top wire ridge to dome and between mold lines. Rear is determined as opposite the front.

Rear Skirt - Rear section of insulator from bottom wire ridge to base and between mold lines. Rear is determined as opposite the front.

R-E, Recessed-Embossed - Marking type that has a recessed area surrounding embossed marking

Ref.# - Reference number unique to this site. Numbering system for easy reference yet to be determined.

Rubber Dot - Embossed dot on rubber insulator

  S    Back to index

Saddle Groove - groove in top center of cable insulator

S-B, Sand Blast - Marking type for porcelain insulators. Made by sand blasting the finished insulator to make a dull marking

SB, Smooth Base - An insualtor base type that has a smooth surface

SDP, Sharp Drip Points - An insulator base type that has cone-shaped projections

Sim - Similar to

S-E, Slug Embossed - Marking type that has the marking embossed onto a raised surface of the insulator

Spider-like - Connection type for suspension insulator that resembles a spider sitting atop the cap, with a socket to accept a knob shaped pin

  T    Back to index

  U    Back to index

U-Number - Number assigned to unipart porcelain insulators, by shape. Universally accepted by collectors

U-G, Under-Glaze - Marking type for porcelain insulators. Ink stamp prior to glazing.

W    Back to index

WDP, Wedge Drip Points - An insulator base type that has wedge-shaped projections

Wire Groove - Continuous groove around outside of insulator

Wire Ridge - Ridge around the insulator above and/or below a wire groove