Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.032.B |
Object Name |
Insulator |
Title |
Black Spring Shaped Porcelain Insulator 2 |
Description |
This is a black spring-shaped porcelain insulator, with the "spring" situated on top of a square-shaped base. The front of the base features a white "+" symbol. On the right and left sides of the top of the base, there are rectangular-shaped indentations. The top of the insulator itself has a plus sign-shaped indentation, with a circular indentation at the center of the plus sign. At the center of the circle, there is a circular hole that goes through the bottom of the insulator. The hole at the bottom is square-shaped. Additionally, there are four white circles on the bottom, made from a more coarse substance. This item comes with a note that reads, "VITREOUS ELECTRICAL INSULATING PORCELAIN. THIS illustrates a railway signal base of "Nu Blac" body and glazed black. This material was developed in order to meet an increasing demand for a material that could take a good uniform black glaze and have high dielectric and mechanical strength. Many manufacturers are now substituting this material for others because it does not show discolorations due to handling in assembly. This material can be molded as easily as our regular white electrical porcelain. Manufactured by THE STAR PORCELAIN COMPANY. TRENTON, NEW JERSEY. Established 1899." It does not appear this item is the piece of electrical porcelain talked about in the note. According to the Potteries of Trenton Society and D.V. Abramson and T. Karschner's book An Inventory of Historical Engineering and Industrial Sites, Trenton, New Jersey, The Star Porcelain Company operated in the city of Trenton, New Jersey from 1900-2002. The Star Porcelain Company were primarily known for manufacturing electrical porcelain. Due to specializing in this niche, they experienced rapid growth during their first twenty years of business. As of the late 1970s, they were still manufacturing electrical porcelain. According to Reliance Potteries, porcelain insulators are used for power transmission. Porcelain does not conduct electricity, which makes them ideal insulators when combined with other non-conductive materials. Insulators distribute electricity throughout a system. Some of the benefits of porcelain insulators include that they are able to be used in both very hot and very cold temperatures, they provide relatively little harm to the environment when they are disposed of, and they have higher electrical strength than polymer insulators. Citations: Abramson, D.V. and T. Karschner. 1978. An Inventory of Historical Engineering and Industrial Sites, Trenton, New Jersey. On file, New Jersey Historic Preservation Office (NJDEP), Trenton, New Jersey. Star Porcelain Company. Potteries of Trenton Society. (n.d.-c). https://potteriesoftrentonsociety.org/research/records/star-porcelain-company-2/ What are the advantages of using porcelain insulators?. Reliance Potteries. (2022, July 15). https://www.reliancepotteries.com/what-are-the-advantages-of-using-porcelain-insulators/ |
Year Range from |
1900 |
Year Range to |
2002 |
Material |
Ceramic |
Artist |
Star Porcelain Company (Probable) |
Height (in) |
4.500 |
Diameter (in) |
2.000 |
Condition |
Good |
Condition Notes |
Overall: A few accretions and discolorations throughout. Front: There is nothing of note. Right Side: There is a white discoloration on the indentation on the base. Back: There is nothing of note. Left Side: There is a white discoloration around the indentation on the base. Top: There is nothing of note. Bottom: There is a white discoloration around the edges. There is a yellow accretion on top near the right side. There is paint bleeding around the white circles. There is a white discoloration on the inside. And finally, there are white accretions on top near the middle. |
Classification |
Business & Commerce Electricity |
Subjects |
Ceramic industry Light fixtures Light bulbs Light Lighting industry Lighting Electricity Electrical apparatus industry Electric lighting |
Search Terms |
Ceramic Insulator Electrical Porcelain Electriciity Spring Black Star Porcelain Company 1900 2002 19th Century 20th Century 21st Century Light Trenton + Plus Black Insulator Component |
Provenance |
Found in collection |