Abstract: A composite electrical insulator comprises a support rod generally of a composite material, two metal end-fittings each forming a socket in which a corresponding end of the support rod is inserted, at least one optical fiber placed on the outer periphery of the support rod, and an insulating outer coating surrounding the support rod and covering the optical fiber which has at least one end guided to the outside of the insulator through an end-fitting via a groove formed in the inside surface of the socket of the end-fitting, said groove opening to the outer periphery of the support rod, and via a duct extending said groove and opening to the outside of the end-fitting.

Abstract: A composite electrical insulator includes a support rod generally of a composite material, at least one optical fiber placed on the outer periphery of the support rod, and an outer insulating coating of a vulcanized material surrounding the support rod so as to cover the optical fiber. The optical fiber has an outer sheath of a material that is compatible with the material constituting the outer coating so that a cohesive bond forms between the outer sheath of the optical fiber and the outer coating of the insulator while the outer coating is being vulcanized.

Abstract: The composite electrical insulator comprises an integrated optical fiber sensor placed inside the insulator. The integrated sensor can be a fault sensor constituted by an optical fiber placed on the support rod of the insulator and having optical cladding that melts at a temperature which is critical for the insulator. The integrated sensor can be a sensor for measuring stresses of mechanical or thermal origin acting on the insulator while it is in operation. It is constituted by an optical fiber having a Bragg grating implanted therein. The Bragg grating is placed on the support rod of the insulator or on a metal end-fitting of the insulator.

Abstract: A composite electrical insulator comprises a support rod generally of a composite material, two metal end-fittings each forming a socket in which a corresponding end of the support rod is inserted, at least one optical fiber placed on the outer periphery of the support rod, and an insulating outer coating surrounding the support rod and covering the optical fiber which has at least one end guided to the outside of the insulator through an end-fitting via a groove formed in the inside surface of the socket of the end-fitting, said groove opening to the outer periphery of the support rod, and via a duct extending said groove and opening to the outside of the end-fitting.

Abstract: A composite electrical insulator comprises a support rod generally of a composite material, at least one optical fiber placed on the outer periphery of the support rod, and an outer insulating coating of a vulcanized material surrounding the support rod so as to cover the optical fiber. The optical fiber has an outer sheath of a material that is compatible with the material constituting the outer coating so that a cohesive bond forms between the outer sheath of the optical fiber and the outer coating of the insulator while the outer coating is being vulcanized.

Abstract: The composite electrical insulator comprises an integrated optical fiber sensor placed inside the insulator. The integrated sensor can be a fault sensor constituted by an optical fiber placed on the support rod of the insulator and having optical cladding that melts at a temperature which is critical for the insulator. The integrated sensor can be a sensor for measuring stresses of mechanical or thermal origin acting on the insulator while it is in operation. It is constituted by an optical fiber having a Bragg grating implanted therein. The Bragg grating is placed on the support rod of the insulator or on a metal end-fitting of the insulator.