During 2007 EPL Composite Solutions Ltd. (EPL) began working with Prof. Simon Rowland and Dr. Ian Cotton from the National Grid High Voltage Labs at the University of Manchester.

The aim was to combine their expertise – EPL in composite structures and the University in High Voltage Engineering – to create a team capable of developing an enabling technology to up-rate the operating voltage (e.g. from 275kV to 400kV) of existing infrastructure without the need to replace the pylon towers.

Initially the technology was developed as a Composite Cross-Arm. However, following on from the success of this work it has been realised that the technology is not limited to any one application but has the potential for many other uses.

The technology possesses the following attributes: -

• A high ratio of mechanical strength to weight via its solid profile
• Insulation from high voltage electrical circuits
• Improved resistance to buckling from axial compressive loads over conventional solid circular profile insulators
• Improved resistance to flexural failure from high bending loads over conventional solid circular profile insulators
• Use in any orientation
• Section is optimised for environmental conditions
• Use in a vertical orientation (e.g. as a post insulator in a sub station)
• Section is optimised for minimum weight to maximum compression and bending resistance based on the defined profile shape