What happens to an insulating joint in the event of an overvoltage?

If lightning strikes the line, or for other reasons an overvoltage occurs on a CCP protected line, then the overvoltage can electrically destroy an improper insulating joint in the pipeline.

An electrical defect does not mean that the insulating joint will leak, but it will become electrically conductive and thus no longer fulfills its main task: to ensure a defined electrical separation of the pipeline.

In order to ensure reliable insulation even after an overvoltage, SCHUCK insulating joints type SHD are equipped with the patented ring spark gap. This protects the insulating joint from carbonizing of the insulating materials by tear down the overvoltage at a defined point without damaging the component.

This is possible because only air is used as an insulator in the ring spark gap. Unlike conventional insulating pieces with organic insulators, the air cannot carbonize and thus cannot create an electrical bridge in the insulating joint.

We show the function in detail in the video.