Porcelain Guy Strain Insulator Numbering System
System overview
Announcing the Guy Strain (GS) classification system! This is an effort to classify all porcelain compression guy strain insulators. European and US are classified side by side, just like with suspension discs in the ST system. The system is broken down by basic type of strain and is sorted from shortest/narrowest to tallest/widest.
To participate, please send a straight on profile and base image of your guy strain against a white background, note the color, any markings, any unusual features (such as flared internal hole, threading, etc...) height of unit, and width at base. Estimated values (if known) are also appreciated. Information is kept anonymous, and will be used to create as complete a list of colors, markings and values as possible. Photographs sent will be automatically licensed under the Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution-NoDerivatives license, which means that anyone is free to reuse the image or images for any purpose, including commercial work, provided attribution is given to the creator. If you do not wish this, please indicate at submission, and your images will be marked to indicate that no further reuse is permitted. The goal is to enable the easy sharing, and propagation of the GS system, as well as images of the individual bases. We believe this is best done through free culture licenses that enable easy reuse with direct attribution.
The GS range is as follows:
GS-1000-1999 Johnny Balls
GS-2000-2999 Through Hole Compression
GS-3000-3999 Finned Through Hole
GS-4000-4999 X Style
GS-5000-5999 Eggs
GS-6000-6999 Miscellaneous
To view insulators that we have assigned numbers to visit the GS range page
To participate, please send a straight on profile and base image of your guy strain against a white background, note the color, any markings, any unusual features (such as flared internal hole, threading, etc...) height of unit, and width at base. Estimated values (if known) are also appreciated. Information is kept anonymous, and will be used to create as complete a list of colors, markings and values as possible. Photographs sent will be automatically licensed under the Creative Commons 4.0 Attribution-NoDerivatives license, which means that anyone is free to reuse the image or images for any purpose, including commercial work, provided attribution is given to the creator. If you do not wish this, please indicate at submission, and your images will be marked to indicate that no further reuse is permitted. The goal is to enable the easy sharing, and propagation of the GS system, as well as images of the individual bases. We believe this is best done through free culture licenses that enable easy reuse with direct attribution.
The GS range is as follows:
GS-1000-1999 Johnny Balls
GS-2000-2999 Through Hole Compression
GS-3000-3999 Finned Through Hole
GS-4000-4999 X Style
GS-5000-5999 Eggs
GS-6000-6999 Miscellaneous
To view insulators that we have assigned numbers to visit the GS range page
FAQ about the system
Why are radio strains and metal end wood strains not part of the GS system?
The GS system is for compression loaded strains. Some may be used primarily for radio, but no tension strains are listed. Metal cap wood strains load in tension and will be listed in a future non glass/porcelain system. Certain unusual antenna strains are excluded as beyond the scope of this project.
Why are small variations not noted in the system?
Minor manufacturing changes and variations inherent in mass production, generally do not justify being noted, unless they are significant enough to be noted by the manufacturer, or considerable enough to stand out. We measure in 6mm (.25") increments, anything more then that can get a new number. If the insulator is identical in a all other aspects, then it will most likely be a letter after the number IE: GS-3225 and GS-3225A. GS-3225A is 6mm (.25") longer but otherwise the same as GS-3225.
Why is the system freely available?
Because we decided it would be in the best interests of the hobby, and foster a spirit of openness among collectors to simply permit anyone to use the system for commercial or non commercial work with no further licensing or permission. It is our hopes that this openness will encourage people to create further works utilizing the system, which enhances the hobby as a whole.
Why are the colors recorded so generic?
Colors are listed as there basic colors because this is meant to be a simple system. More details color recording is left up to the specialty collector. Also with older porcelain insulators, no two are alike (This is what makes porcelain insulators so cool to collect ;). This is why we list the color family only (Same is true for ST, M and U Numbering systems)
Why is the location of the markings not noted?
Much like porcelain pin types insulators, the location of the marking on porcelain Guy insulators vary widely. To keep things simple we will note the markings but not the location. Any details beyond that is left up to the specialty collector.
I see my insulator listed but mine is a different color or manufacture, shall I still submit photos?
Absolutely! Just because a style has a GS Number already doesn't mean we know about other manufactures, markings and colors.
The GS system is for compression loaded strains. Some may be used primarily for radio, but no tension strains are listed. Metal cap wood strains load in tension and will be listed in a future non glass/porcelain system. Certain unusual antenna strains are excluded as beyond the scope of this project.
Why are small variations not noted in the system?
Minor manufacturing changes and variations inherent in mass production, generally do not justify being noted, unless they are significant enough to be noted by the manufacturer, or considerable enough to stand out. We measure in 6mm (.25") increments, anything more then that can get a new number. If the insulator is identical in a all other aspects, then it will most likely be a letter after the number IE: GS-3225 and GS-3225A. GS-3225A is 6mm (.25") longer but otherwise the same as GS-3225.
Why is the system freely available?
Because we decided it would be in the best interests of the hobby, and foster a spirit of openness among collectors to simply permit anyone to use the system for commercial or non commercial work with no further licensing or permission. It is our hopes that this openness will encourage people to create further works utilizing the system, which enhances the hobby as a whole.
Why are the colors recorded so generic?
Colors are listed as there basic colors because this is meant to be a simple system. More details color recording is left up to the specialty collector. Also with older porcelain insulators, no two are alike (This is what makes porcelain insulators so cool to collect ;). This is why we list the color family only (Same is true for ST, M and U Numbering systems)
Why is the location of the markings not noted?
Much like porcelain pin types insulators, the location of the marking on porcelain Guy insulators vary widely. To keep things simple we will note the markings but not the location. Any details beyond that is left up to the specialty collector.
I see my insulator listed but mine is a different color or manufacture, shall I still submit photos?
Absolutely! Just because a style has a GS Number already doesn't mean we know about other manufactures, markings and colors.
