Division of Insulators Merklín
Division of Insulators Merklín is situated in the North-West Bohemia, in the village of the same name nearby the well-known spa of Karlovy Vary.
The plant was founded as early as in 1870. At the beginning it was producing the consumer ceramics, later on is became specialised to production of insulators for both low- and high-voltage applications, first of all to production of shell-type insulators for E.H.T. Presently the shell-type insulators for E.H.T are the main products of the Merklín Division. We put a new chamber-type oven into operation in 1998, and we have extended our production further on.
We make the insulators with both machine and manual technologies. We deliver the reinforced and bare insulators. We have introduced a technology of insulator sticking after firing. This technology makes it possible to make the insulators up to the construction length of 3,200 mm and for voltage up to 400 kV. These insulators are used for power distribution, for switching stations, transformer stations, etc.
The main processes include: process of wet machining, manual manufacturing and sticking after firing
The main products made by the single processes:
Process of wet machining
Full-core insulators, having the maximum length of 750 mm and the maximum shed diameter of 300 mm
Bushings, having the maximum length of 1,170 mm and the maximum shed diameter of 375 mm
E.H.T shell-type insulators, having the maximum length of 2,200 mm and the maximum shed diameter of 560 mm
Process of manual manufacturing - sticking prior firing
E.H.T shell-type insulators, having the maximum length of 2,700 mm and the maximum shed diameter of 800 mm
Process of sticking after firing
E.H.T shell-type insulators, having the maximum length of 3,200 mm and the maximum shed diameter of 800 mm
The materials employed: materials according to IEC 672.3 sub-group C110, C120 and C130
Glaze: the most frequent glaze colours are white, grey and brown
Insulator testing: particularly according to the standards IEC 137, 168, 233 and 383
Yearly capacity: 3,200 tons