What Are Electrical Insulators?

Article Written By: Richard E.Davies

Electrical insulators, sometimes known as dielectrics, are materials that can withstand the flow of electrical current. Put another way, they are non conducting materials. Electrical insulators help coat, protect or support electrical conductors so that the electrical current flows through the conductor. These insulators are protective and prevent electrical shock or sparks.

It is almost impossible to get electrical voltage to pass through the materials which electrical insulators are made up of. The material is unique because it is made of substances with electrons that are chemically compressed together. Some insulatorsare considered to have higher thresholds for electrical voltage than others do, and are aptly called high voltage insulators.

One of the earliest materials to be used as an electrical insulator was glass. Along with other materials such as porcelain, mica and ceramic, glass can withstand very high volts of electrical current. Since the 1800s glass was used to help protect exposed phone wires.

The next development in electrical insulators was rubber, which overtook glass as a much more durable and less fragile insulator.

With the advances in telecoms over the last few years, insulators have now been adapted and improved, and now the most common materials are Teflon and silicon dioxide. These materials help to protect power lines and internal wiring in transformers and generators.

Some composite insulators derive from a mixture of several materials. Composite electrical insulators, otherwise known as non ceramic insulators are suitable for a number of electrical engineering works, from car mechanics to household appliances. They are ideal for large scale manufacturing applications because of their low cost and versatility. Porcelain insulators can break and be bulky whereas rubber and composite insulators are ideal for engineering usage.

Electrical insulation as well as circuit breakers are vital for safety in the home. If wires are lying around and unsecure then it is better to be safe than sorry as they can prove a huge fire hazard, and also a danger to small children or pets.

If you're not sure whether your electrics are properly insulated, there is a simple insulation tester which will tell you. Ideally testing should be done before installing wallpaper, or other major repair work in the home. The insulation testers are easy to use and a good idea for all homeowners.

There are different types of testers available, portable hand held devices which are the cheapest and easiest to use. Meanwhile there are larger, more commercial scale testers. The voltage is the important factor whether you are using a portable or larger scale tester. Testing is always a good idea when doing home improvement projects around the house from the kitchen to the patio.

Testing measures the current leakage of electricity, which can cause a variety of problems. Insulating material deterioration allows electrical current to seep out of the insulated covering, like a leaky water pipe allows water to seep out into the walls of your home.

Possible hazards of an electrical leak are fires and electric shocks. This occurs because a leaking current creates heat, which can cause a fire. The current can also seep out and flow into another pathway, such as water pipes in your kitchen or bathroom. This can cause electrical shock in the shower or sink. Leaking current also results in higher electric bills.

In addition, it can cause the ground faults in your home to trip repeatedly and eventually overheat. For this reason it is clear to see why electrical insulation is a vital part of the maintenance of any home.

About the Author

Richard E.Davies - For more information on circuit breaker range visit www.neweysonline.co.uk

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