answersLogoWhite

0


Best Answer

Plastic being nonconducting, it avoids electrocution when covered around electric wire.

User Avatar

Wiki User

13y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: Why would an electric wire be covered with an insulatos such as plastic?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Continue Learning about Engineering

Why are electrical cables and wires always covered with rubber or plastic?

AnswerThe rubber or plastic serves as electrical insulation (because they are poor conductors). Without insulation, the electricity running in a bare cable would leap over into any other electrically conducting material it touched. With enough voltage, a human could be electrocuted.Electrical signals would disappear and get lost, causing equipment to fail.AnswerSo the conductor is insulated against possible metal contact & prevent a short if it's grounded.AnswerAll household electric wires are covered with plastic and rubber. This is called insulation. It keeps the potential of the wire from returning to ground (short circuit) before being used by the load. The higher the potential (voltage) the greater the insulation factor has to be. Bare wires in transmission towers also use insulation in the form of air. To use this method, engineered clearances have to be maintained between the conductors.AnswerAll electrical power wires are covered with an insulating material. This is to prevent the potential on the wire from going anywhere except to the load.Electrical connecting wires are covered with plastic to prevent the wire under the covering from shorting out against each other or shorting out to ground. The electrical terminology for this covering is the wire's "insulation".These days most electrical wires are covered with a flexible plastic (rubber starts with the sap from a rubber tree; plastic usually starts with a petroleum base).AnswerThe main purpose of the "cover" (insulation) is to keep the wire from shorting to other objects.The plastics used generally have a good mix of the following properties:It is flexible so the wire can be flexed and bent.It is inexpensive and easy to apply to the wire during manufacturing.It has resistance to chemicals and UV light.Sometimes it's also important for it to resist abrasion or temperature extremes, or submersion in water.You can get wire with different types of insulation depending on what you need it to withstand.


Were would you find a parallel circuit?

In a science lab. 2. In an electric stove, or an electric blanket.


How can you stop electric current?

An insulative material is one that will stop the conduction of heat. This would be considered a thermal brake and could be a piece of plastic or wood.


What would be the cheapest way to manufacture a cylindrical pole of plastic material having the primary function of supporting electric power transmission lines?

Try E-lance.com Online freelance company. They're supposedly good at keeping your inventions confidential I've heard. Check into it


Would an mild electric shock cause nerve damage?

Yes it would cause a nerve damage but it depends on where and how long you give mild electric shock to somebody. i think so?

Related questions

Why electric wires are covered with insulator?

If electric wires weren't covered with insulation, there would be short circuits.


Can electric charges pass through a plastic bottle that is full of water with a plastic cap?

No. The plastic would keep the electric charge


Which material is likely to slow the flow of electric charges the most copper germanium or PVC plastic?

PVC plastic would be the best insulator.


Why do electric irons have plastic handles?

Electric irons are made of iron, and since iron is a good conductor of electricity, if you touch it with your bare hands you would get shocked. Plastic doesn't conduct electricity and is one of the best insulators, so it would be safe to use plastic handles while ironing. Even if the ironing machine isn't electric, the machine is bound to get heated, and if you touch it to use it, you would burn your hand, so no matter the type of ironing machines, you always need a plastic handle.


Why do electric irons have a plastic handle?

Electric irons are made of iron, and since iron is a good conductor of electricity, if you touch it with your bare hands you would get shocked. Plastic doesn't conduct electricity and is one of the best insulators, so it would be safe to use plastic handles while ironing. Even if the ironing machine isn't electric, the machine is bound to get heated, and if you touch it to use it, you would burn your hand, so no matter the type of ironing machines, you always need a plastic handle.


What will happen to a cup of water covered by a plastic wrap for a week?

It would probably condensate because of water vapor.


Which of these materials would not be a good insulator of electricity?

An example of a good insulator of electricity would be rubber. An insulator is anything that does not conduct electricity and as such offers protection from direct electric current.


What would happen if electric cords did not have plastic around them?

The plastic is a form of insulation. Insulation used to be made from non-plastic materials like cloth. It protects the wire from the outside world. Without insulation the electricity would cause shocks, fires, and short circuits.


What happened if core of plastic and copper will be used in electric bell?

Well, it all depends on the type of materiel, if it were made from plastic, the construction would, lets say, die, instantly! Copper is more of a reasonable choice, although its not the strongest. But it would do far better than plastic!


If a boat got a hole and you covered it with plastic would your boat still sink and if yes why?

yes. if there was still a gap for water to get in.. if you had fully covered the hole with no gaps. then it would stop the water coming in..... pail out what water there was in the boat. and it should not sink....


Why is there usually a plastic coating around a metal wire?

There are a number of reasons: If the wire is electrical then it is covered in plastic as plastic provides insulation, this means that if adjoining wires come into contact the electrical current would not cause a short circuit. Normally electrical wire is cooper as it is a good conductor of electricity and does not oxidize/ rust easily. Secondly wire hangers are covered in plastic to prevent the metal (normally mild steel) from rusting. If they were to rust, it would cause orange/ red stains on your clothes.


What will happen if you put paper in a freezer?

freezer paper is constructed from paper that is covered with a thin layer of plastic, if you put it in the oven it will catch on fire, burn and melt the plastic.