What is Insulator (electricity)?
[[File:Insulator railways.jpg|thumb|Ceramic insulator]] An '''electrical insulator''' is a material that does not easily allow flow of electricity through an [[electric current]]. Materials typically used to insulate include [[rubber]], [[plastic]] and [[glass]]. In [[transformer]]s and [[electric motor]]s, [[varnish]] is used. Insulating [[gas]]es such as [[Sulfur hexafluoride]] are used in some [[switch]]es. [[Wire]]s that carry electric currents are usually insulated so the electricity goes to the right place. '''Insulator''' can mean not only the [[material]] but things that are made of that material. They are made of various materials such as: [[glass]], [[silicone]], rubber, plastic, oil, wood, dry cotton, quartz, ceramic, etc. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.ehow.com/info_8031301_insulators.html/ |title=What is insulator? |accessdate=8 May 2015 |archive-date=27 October 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027060904/http://www.ehow.com/info_8031301_insulators.html |url-status=dead }}</ref> The type of insulator will depend on the uses. Insulators have high [[electrical resistivity]] and low conductivity. The insulators prevent the loss of current and make the current more efficient by concentrating the flow. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.wisegeek.org/what-are-electrical-insulators.htm/ |title=What are electrical insulators? |accessdate=21 May 2015}} </ref> == Insulator devices == [[Electric power transmission]] uses three types of overhead insulator: pin insulator, suspension insulator, and strain insulator. * The '''pin insulator''' is the earliest developed insulator. Pin type insulators can have up to three parts, depending on the amount of voltage. <ref> {{cite web |url=http://www.electrical4u.com/types-of-electrical-insulator-overhead-insulator/ |title=types of electrical insulator |accessdate=6 May 2015}} </ref> * The '''suspension insulator''' is for voltages above 33KV. Multiple insulators are connected in series. <ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.electricalpowerenergy.com/20