Thermosets in the Utilities Industry

Due to the excellent material properties with regards to heat and corrosion resistance, and it’s ability to withstand different outdoor elements and weather, parts and components molded from thermosets are commonly used within the Utilities and Power Grid industries. OEMs rely on thermosets for electrical protection to keep lines up without being jeopardized when exposed to aggressive outdoor elements such as snow, heat, and rain. These applications include electrical housings and enclosures that house electronics and wiring, along with traditional circuit breakers and power blocks to not only protect internal components and electronics from damage, but keep the assembly safe to handle and install for line-workers and maintenance.

From a material property standpoint, thermosets offer excellent electrical performance such as dielectric strength and electrical insulation over thermoplastics. This strong electrical insulation protects product assemblies and internal components from risk of damage from electrical charge. Additionally, thermosets are resistant to electrical arc and track, and many thermoset formulations have passed stringent UL testing to be rated for flammability suppression. Parts molded from thermoset materials remain durable and strong even when exposed to electrical charge, high temperatures, or thermal shock. Electrical applications that commonly incorporate molded thermosets include electrical housings, terminal and fuse blocks, circuit breakers, connectors, and other electrical components housing electrical wiring, terminal or PCB boards, or other electrical instruments.