Why the Hendrix Vise Top Is Becoming the Go-To Insulator Across Our Territory
Lightweight, unbreakable, and no wire ties required. Here's why utilities across the Mountain West and Upper Midwest keep asking for it.
Marmon Utility recently put a spotlight on its Hendrix polyethylene insulators with a simple message: it all comes back to reliability. For the Mountain Power Reps team, that message lines up with what we're seeing in the field every week.
A field favorite, not just a catalog item
“It's one of the primary insulators for both Xcel Energy and Black Hills Energy, and it's quickly becoming our most requested top insulator,” says Cathy Hartigan, Senior Sales Engineer at MPR. “It's lightweight, it's unbreakable, and it comes in a High Temp version for lines that run hot and a Fire Resistant version for regions where wildfire is a concern.”
That combination of durability, handling, and application-specific options is why the Vise Top has moved from a nice-to-have to a standard spec for many of the utilities we serve.
Built to outperform porcelain
Hendrix insulators are molded from a proprietary gray, track-resistant, high-density polyethylene (HDPE) blend, and Marmon Utility reports they exceed ANSI standards by up to 30%. Compared with porcelain, crews get:
Greater leakage distance and high flashover and impulse values
A lighter unit that one lineworker can handle and install
Resistance to impact damage and vandalism. They won't chip, crack, or break
A recyclable material
Compatibility with both bare wire and covered conductor construction
Options for heat and wildfire risk
Not every line runs the same, and not every region carries the same risk. Hendrix offers High Temperature insulators for circuits that run hot, plus Fire Retardant (FR) insulators for wildfire-prone areas. The FR line is tested to UL 94 and earns a V-0 rating, the most stringent in that standard. In a field burn test, a utility torch was held on the thinnest section of an FR insulator's fin for 30 seconds, and the flame went out on its own within five seconds of the torch being removed.
Faster installs, leaner inventory
The Vise Top design clamps the conductor without wire ties. “No wire ties means it's easier to install,” Cathy explains, “and the added benefit is reduced SKUs and inventory for customers and distributors.” Fewer parts on the truck and fewer line items in the warehouse add up, especially during storm restoration when speed matters most.
Made in the USA, guaranteed for life
Hendrix molded products are manufactured in Amherst, New Hampshire, and carry a lifetime guarantee, backed by short lead times and a service-oriented team at Marmon Utility.
Talk to MPR
Mountain Power Reps proudly represents Marmon Utility and the Hendrix line across Colorado, Iowa, Minnesota, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, Wisconsin, and Wyoming. Whether you're evaluating a porcelain replacement, building out a wildfire mitigation spec, or trying to simplify your stocking program, our team can help with specs, samples, and application support.
Explore the full Hendrix molded products line on Marmon Utility's website, or contact your MPR rep today.
