What is use of insulator?

Answer 1

There are many types of insulators, for example heat insulators, water insulators (also called hydrophobic insulators) and current insulators. The role of an insulator is to avoid passage of something from a system to another. For example, a current insulator is placed in between two parts of an electrical systems in order to avoid they influence each other through current losses or an heat insulator is placed on the wall of an house to avoid that the internal heat is dissipated towards the external environment.

To find good heat insulators is difficult. If we define the heat conductivity k like the heat transmitted for unitary temperature difference through a unit area and unit length of the insulation material, lower the conductivity better the insulation. The better insulators (silica aerogel) have an heat conductivity of about 0.001 in SI units (J m /°K). On the contrary very good electrical insulation can be attained, one of the better electrical insulators is Teflon, whose electrical conductivity (current per unit voltage on unit area and unit length) is as low as 10-23 A m/V.

Regarding insulation from material infiltrations, (for example water insulators that are used to avoid humidity to penetrate inside a room) the conductivity is defined as transmitted quantity of water per unit concentration difference between the two sides of the insulator per unit area and unit length. Lower the conductivity higher teh insulation.

Answer 2

Insulation is used to prevent contact with other metallic objects, such as other wires.

This helps to prevent short circuits. Two common wires used in residences are Romex (NM-non-metallic) and BX (flexible metal covering). Romex is usually required in areas of high corrosion content, such as near bodies of water. If BX were to be used, it would quickly corrode and lose its protection.

Romex has been around since 1922!

Answer 3

The insulation serves several purposes. Mainly it protects the integrity of the circuit and the environment in which it's located (including people and buildings). The insulation function however depends on what type of insulation it is. There is insulation designed to withstand high temperatures (for ovens), high voltage (power cords), oil, and other harsh environments. Some basic insulations are used in less demanding locations.

Answer 4

Insulator is otherwise called as non conductor.The conduction properties for all the materials are based on atomic arrangement.In conductors,all the electrons present in the atoms are loosely bond to the nucleus.Because of this reason,the free electrons in atoms helps to carry current.But in insulators,all the electrons are tightly bonded and hence there were no free electrons to carry current.So it has more non conduction properties.

-R.Thanga muthu,

B.E.Aeronautical Engineering[1st year],

Sri Ramakrishna Engineering College,

Coimbatore.

Answer 5

If the so called "hot" wire makes electrical contact (meaning the bare wire touches the ground or any metal that is touching the ground) with the ground you will have a short circuit and the fuse will blow or the wire will get very hot and possibly melt or cause a fire. The hot wire is insulated to prevent it from making electrical contact with the ground or with the ground wire. The ground wire is already connected to the ground so its insulation is not as important, just an added layer of protection to keep it from making electrical contact with the hot wire. In household AC circuits the ground is really the ground. So the hot wire must not touch anything metal that is connected to the earth , like copper water pipes. In DC circuits the ground is usually the metal case that surrounds the circuit, like your car frame. So the hot wire can not touch the metal frame or any metal connected to the frame. A short circuit is when the electricity can find a shortcut path back to the power source (wall outlet in AC or battery in DC) without having to go thru its intended use. For example; a light bulb has the hot wire on one side and the ground wire on the other side. So the electricity is designed to go thru the light bulb. If the wires were bare and touched the electricity could bypass the light bulb and that would be a short circuit.

Answer 6

to prevent accidentally "short circuiting" the wires or to prevent accidental electrocution. Wire insulation comes in many categories; temperature rating, maximum voltage, fire resistance, oil resistance and anything else that an engineer may feel significant.

Answer 7

There are many types of insulators, for example heat insulators, water insulators (also called hydrophobic insulators) and current insulators. The role of an insulator is to avoid passage of something from a system to another. For example, a current insulator is placed in between two parts of an electrical systems in order to avoid they influence each other through current losses or an heat insulator is placed on the wall of an house to avoid that the internal heat is dissipated towards the external environment.

To find good heat insulators is difficult. If we define the heat conductivity k like the heat transmitted for unitary temperature difference through a unit area and unit length of the insulation material, lower the conductivity better the insulation. The better insulators (silica aerogel) have an heat conductivity of about 0.001 in SI units (J m /°K). On the contrary very good electrical insulation can be attained, one of the better electrical insulators is Teflon, whose electrical conductivity (current per unit voltage on unit area and unit length) is as low as 10-23 A m/V.

Regarding insulation from material infiltrations, (for example water insulators that are used to avoid humidity to penetrate inside a room) the conductivity is defined as transmitted quantity of water per unit concentration difference between the two sides of the insulator per unit area and unit length. Lower the conductivity higher teh insulation.

Answer 8

If you are asking about an electrical insulator, then we are talking about a material that does not have sufficient charge carriers to support conduction.

Answer 9

make the electric current stay on its path

Answer 10

To keep heat.