An insulator is the opposite of a conductor. It is a material that will not allow electrical current to run through it because its electrons are not free to move. Plastic is a very good insulator. That is why it is used to cover copper wire. The wire can then safely conduct electricity along its length without allowing it to come into contact with other conductors.
An electrical insulator is a material that does not easily allow flow of electricity through an electric current. Materials typically used to insulate include rubber, plastic and glass. In transformers and electric motors, varnish is used. Insulating gases such as Sulfur hexafluoride are used in some switches. Wires that carry electric currents are usually insulated so the electricity goes to the right place.
Insulator can mean not only the material but things that are made of that material. They are made of various materials such as: glass, silicone, rubber, plastic, oil, and wood, dry cotton, quartz, ceramic, etc.
The type of insulator will depend on the uses. Insulators have high electrical resistivity and low conductivity. The insulators prevent the loss of current and make the current more efficient by concentrating the flow.
- The pin insulator is the earliest developed insulator. Pin type insulators can have up to three parts, depending on the amount of voltage.
- The suspension insulator is for voltages above 33KV. Multiple insulators are connected in series.
- The strain insulator is the same as a suspension insulator but it is used horizontally, whereas the suspension insulator is used vertically. The strain insulator is used to relieve the line of excessive tension, which happens when there is dead end of the line or sharp curve.
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