Insulators

A material that does not conduct electrical current is known as an insulator. Paper, plastic, rubber, glass, and air are all good insulators. Although a vacuum is an insulator, it is not material. Magnet wire is coated with a very thin layer of insulation to allow for more turns or larger wire in the winding of transformers and other devices. Insulators are typically rated in the hundreds of volts range, while certain power distribution insulators are rated in the hundreds of thousands of volts range.

After discussing the insulator’s meaning and definition, let’s understand its importance!

Why are Insulators Important?

Electrical insulators are essential because they shield us from the harmful effects of electricity. When electrons move, an electrical current is created. In insulators, the atoms have securely bound electrons that do not travel across the material. This means that the electricity cannot easily flow through, preventing an electrical shock.

The purpose of having an electrically insulating substance is to prevent unwanted electric current from passing through the conductors. Rigid laminate, paper, asbestos, PVC, glass, resin, varnish, rubber, and Teflon are some of the insulator examples. Electrical lines are frequently coated with these materials to prevent electrical current from going outside of the designated area.

What does this mean in terms of circuit board design?

Consider how closely and densely a circuit board is packed. You don’t want a circuit board constructed of a material that conducts electricity in the wrong directions. This will cause circuit board failure, as well as the possibility of a fire. By keeping the power in the authorised region, insulators help to limit the risk of electrical fires. While the circuit board’s components are constructed of conductive materials, all of the power flows through them as it should. To prevent the current from getting into the wrong location, the surrounding area of these components should be insulated.

Talking about the difference between conductor and insulator, Charge is transferred  through the free flow of electrons in conductors. Insulators, unlike conductors, materials that prevent electrons from freely flowing from one atom and molecule to each other. 

Properties of Insulators

Insulators have great mechanical and dielectric strength, as well as high insulation resistance to avoid leakage current. Crack-free, impurity-free, and nonporous insulator materials are required. Insulators have great mechanical and dielectric strength, as well as high insulation resistance to avoid leakage current. Crack-free, impurity-free, and nonporous insulator materials are required.

What Happens to the Atoms in Electric Insulators?

The nucleus is formed when protons and neutrons are attracted to each other by a strong nuclear force. The strong nuclear force attracts electrons to protons, although this attraction is weaker than the strong nuclear force that holds protons and neutrons together.

Instead, the electrons in the atom orbit the nucleus due to attraction. So electrons cannot freely flow in certain materials, no electric current can be generated.

Types of Insulators

After knowing the insulator meaning and definition, let’s discuss the types of insulators:

Post Insulators

Substations and overhead lines typically employ post insulators with a large number of petticoats and rain shelters. Line post insulators, which are used for voltages up to 132 kV, and station post insulators, which are used for low and extremely high voltages, are the two types of post insulators.

Stay Insulators

Stay insulators, as the name implies, are used in stay wires. They are constructed of porcelain and are built so that the stay wire does not fall to the ground if the insulator breaks.

Polymer Insulators

Polymer insulators are 90 percent lighter than porcelain insulators and have higher strength. They are made of fibreglass rods and covered by polymer weather shelters. Silicon rubber, PTFE, EPM, and EPDM are some of the other materials utilised to make polymer insulators.

Glass Insulators

Glass is the best insulator example that was first used for telegraph and telephone lines in the 18th century but was later supplanted with ceramic and porcelain insulators in the 19th century. Toughened glass insulators were produced to combat this, and their popularity grew as a result of their extended lifespan.

Long Rod Insulators

Long rod insulators are porcelain rods with metal end fittings with weather shelters on the outside. Long rod insulators have no metal pieces between the units, which helps to increase their strength. These insulators can be utilised in tension and suspension applications.

Shackle Insulator

These insulators are utilised in overhead distribution networks and are tiny in size. This insulator’s connection can be made with a metallic strip. This insulator has a voltage capability of 33 kV and can be used in bend or circular turn locations. These insulators are currently employed as strain insulators, but they are only used in a small percentage of voltage distribution lines.

Conclusion

That’s a wrap to the insulator’s meaning and definition, its importance, properties and more!

A material that does not allow flow of electrical current is known as an insulator. The overhead line conductors on the poles are supported by an insulator, which prevents current flow toward the ground. The transmission lines must function properly. Different materials, such as rubber, wood, plastic, mica, and others, can be used to create an insulator. Glass, ceramic, PVC, steatite, polymer, and other specific materials are utilised in the electrical system.