An electrical insulator prevents the passage of electricity.
The notion of electrical insulator , as is evident, is made up of two words: insulator and electrical . To know what an electrical insulator is, therefore, we first need to know what these two terms refer to.
An insulator is something that insulates (makes an element separate from others; or makes it impossible for heat, sound, or something else to pass through). Electric, for its part, is that linked to electricity : the physical property of matter that is related to the rejection or attraction between its components depending on the presence of protons or electrons. By extension, the type of energy that is based on this property is called electricity.
An electrical insulator, in this way, is a material that prevents the passage of electricity . This is possible since the material in question does not conduct electricity (rejects the flow of current). In an electrical insulator, charges have difficulty moving; In electrical conductors, however, these charges move very easily.
Types of electrical insulators
It is important to establish, entering more fully into the matter, that electrical insulators can be classified into two large groups:
– Inorganic ones.
– 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 .
Electrical insulators are used in cables, electronic circuits, and other places.
The electric current
If the phenomenon is analyzed more precisely, it must be said that atoms are made up of a positively charged nucleus ( protons and neutrons ), around which negative charges ( electrons ) revolve.
These electrons, in conductors, pass from one atom to another when, at the ends of the conductive material, electric voltage is applied, producing electric current . Electrical insulators, unlike conductors, exert great resistance to this movement of electrons.
Examples of electrical insulators
Insulating tape or insulating tape 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 numerous materials that can be used because they have notable power as electrical insulators. This would be the case, for example, of Teflon , glass , wood , ceramics , quartz , rubber or mica .
These are used in numerous electrical installations and constructions to prevent damage or a serious problem in that regard. However, others are also used, such as fiberglass , cork , pure water , carbon fiber , linen or hemp , and extruded polystyrene .
Its use
Electrical insulators can be found in countless places and elements 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 voltage towers.
– In the conductor cables.
– In electrical installations of various kinds.
– In electronic circuits.
– In footwear for 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.