Definition of electrical insulator

The notion of electrical insulatoras is evident, is made up of two words: insulating Y electric. To know what an electrical insulator is, therefore, we first need to know what these two terms refer to.

An insulator is something that achieves isolate (makes an element stand apart from others; or makes it impossible for heat, sound, or something else to pass through). Electrical, on the other hand, is that which is linked to the electricity: the physical property of matter that is related to the rejection or attraction between its components according to the presence of protons or electrons. By extension, the type of energy that is based on this property is called electricity.

An electrical insulator, thus, is a material that prevents the passage of electricity. This is possible since the material in question does not conduct electricity (it rejects the flow of current). In an electrical insulator, the loads have difficulty getting around; in electrical conductors, on the other hand, these charges move with great ease.

It is important to establish, going more fully into the matter, that electrical insulators can be classified into two large groups:

-The inorganic.

-The organic ones. These in turn are divided into natural and plastic or synthetic. The latter we can determine that they are classified into four groups: thermoplastics, hard plastics, cellulose plastics and elastomers.

If the phenomenon is analyzed more precisely, it must be said that the atoms They consist of a positively charged nucleus (protons Y neutrons), around which negative charges revolve (electrons). These electrons, in conductors, pass from one atom to another when, at the ends of the conducting material, electric tensionproducing the electric current. Electrical insulators, unlike conductors, exert great resistance to this movement of electrons.

The duct tape either insulating tape It is one of the most used electrical insulators in everyday life. It is an adhesive tape made with PVC that is used to cover cables.

There are many materials that can be used because they have a remarkable power as an electrical insulator. This would be the case, for example, with Teflon, glass, wood, ceramic, quartz, rubber or mica.

These are used in numerous electrical installations and constructions to prevent damage or a serious problem from occurring. However, others are also used, such as fiberglass, cork, pure water, carbon fiber, linen or hemp and extruded polystyrene.

Electrical insulators can be found in countless places and elements in order to prevent a short circuit from occurring, an installation from being damaged and even people from being harmed. Thus, we come across them in the following spaces:

-In what are high tension towers.

-In the conductor cables.

-In electrical installations of various kinds.

-In electronic circuits.

-In footwear of workers who work in different areas where they handle electricity. In this way, it is guaranteed that, in the event of an accident, it does not circulate through the body of those mentioned.


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