A composite insulator (1) for overhead power lines comprises a rigid core extending axially between two attachment fittings (6) and having placed thereon a shell having sheds (5, 5) made of electrically insulating synthetic material. It includes a detector device for detecting surface leakage currents, which device includes an electrically conductive metal annular ring (7) surrounding the shell between an end shed (5) adjacent to one of the two fittings (6) and another shed (5) adjacent to the end shed (5) that extends radially over the ring (7). The ring (7) is connected by a conductive wire (8) passing through the end shed (5) to be connected to an electronic unit (9) of the detector device.

A field control element for a high-voltage cable accessory comprises an electrically insulating material. The electrically insulating material includes a fluorescent dye adapted to convert a first radiation having a first wavelength and generated by an electrical discharge into a second radiation having a second wavelength longer than the first wavelength.

A composite insulator (1) for overhead power lines comprises a rigid core extending axially between two attachment fittings (6) and having placed thereon a shell having sheds (5, 5) made of electrically insulating synthetic material. It includes a detector device for detecting surface leakage currents, which device includes an electrically conductive metal annular ring (7) surrounding the shell between an end shed (5) adjacent to one of the two fittings (6) and another shed (5) adjacent to the end shed (5) that extends radially over the ring (7). The ring (7) is connected by a conductive wire (8) passing through the end shed (5) to be connected to an electronic unit (9) of the detector device.

A system is provided for guiding a dielectric cable from a conductor to an elevated support structure. The system comprises: an insulator arranged to be attached to a conductor. The insulator comprises a first bore for receiving a dielectric cable. The system further comprises an earth bond extending to a lower end of the insulator; and a downpipe extending between first and second ends. The first end of the downpipe is connected to the lower end of the insulator and the second end of the downpipe is arranged to be supported by an elevated support structure. The downpipe is for receiving the dielectric cable from the bore of the insulator.

In one aspect, the present invention relates to a communications cable, which comprises a support separator providing a plurality of channels for receiving transmission media, said support separator comprising a first polymeric material, at least one optical fiber disposed in one of said channels, at least an electrical conductor capable of carrying at least about 10 watts of electrical power disposed in another one of said channels, an insulation at least partially covering said electrical conductor, a jacket surrounding said support separator and said transmission media, said jacket comprising a second polymeric material. In some embodiments, the first and second polymeric materials can be the same material, and in other embodiments, they can be different materials.

The present invention relates to various flexible hybrid cables transmitting data through two or more different transmission mechanisms, e.g., one mechanism utilizing electromagnetic energy (e.g., lights), another mechanism utilizing electrical energy (e.g., electrical voltages or currents), and so on. More particularly, the present invention relates to the flexible hybrid cables incorporating various planar cable units so that such cables are elongated in their cross-sections, are rather flexible, and are more conveniently stored and installed. The present invention also relates to various methods of manufacturing the flexible hybrid cables, to various methods of using such flexible hybrid cables, and to various methods of incorporating conventional electrical cables (or optical fibers) thereinto.