While connecting electrical components, electrical insulators play an important role. They are used for making various electronics circuits and overhead power systems.
Insulators do not allow electricity and heat to travel through them, inhibiting the flow of electrical current. This protects against the loss of current and makes the electrical current flow more concentrated.
These are used as power cable accessories and, thus, waterproof and non-porous. Most importantly, they have good dielectric strength.
How To Identify Insulators?
The ideal property of an insulator is high resistivity and low conductivity. They have high mechanical strength for the conductor load and high relative permittivity of insulator material.
You can find insulators of different materials such as rubber, plastic, wood, glass, etc. The electrical system has specific insulating materials, such as porcelain, polymer, PVC, ceramic, etc.
It helps to support the overhead conductor and insulates the live parts of the equipment from the ground.
The 4 Core Insulator Types Are
Pin Insulators
This isolates the wire from physical support. Imagine a pin on a utility pole that is used for overhead lines. The pin insulators are secured to the cross arm of the pole. They are used for transmission and distribution of electrical power of 33 kV voltage, not beyond. Thus, the pin insulator becomes uneconomical.
Insulators are still used in 33 kV power distribution systems. These insulators are available in different parts like 1 part, 2 parts, or 3 parts type based on the voltage of application. One part type is used in an 11 kV power distribution system where the entire insulator is a porcelain/glass-shaped piece.
However, it requires less maintenance, and you can use them both vertically and horizontally. Pin insulators support good creepage distance.
Post Insulator
In transmission lines applications, post insulators are called line post insulators. The flanges of this type are sharp and narrow. This design promotes a creepage distance that may cause the problem of electrode pollution.
These are quite similar to pin insulators but can are used for a much higher voltage level. These are used in substations or for generating substations. These are easily available from insulator fittings manufacturers. You can mount this insulator horizontally and vertically, and it has a very strong mechanical strength.
Suspension Insulators
These are mostly used insulators to protect the overhead transmission. And, it is only applicable for the transmissions that occur above 33 kV. Basically, this has the potential to overcome the limitations laid by the pin-type insulator. Its voltage operating capacity is from 11 kV to 765 kV.
Suspension type insulator protects an over-headed transmission line like a conductor. Generally, it comprises porcelain material that includes a single or a string of insulating discs hung over a tower.
You can generally find a suspension insulator placed with the steel tower. The benefit of using a suspension insulator is that you can easily replace it if any of its suspension strings gets damaged. The mechanical stress is also less, and you can alter the number of this to get suitable support for the voltage level.
Comparatively, these insulators are much costlier than the pin and post-type insulators. And, the supporting structure should be at more height than in the case of pin and post insulator.
Shackle Insulators
These are used during low voltage network distribution and are called spool insulators. You can use this insulator on sharp curves, polls, etc. It is of small size, attached to the overhead distribution system.
Due to the underground cable distribution process, shackle insulators usage has decreased. However, these are being used between towers and conductors, supporting low and medium voltage. And, this insulator can also bear a high amount of temperature.
Conclusion
Thus, based on your requirement, you can place an order for the insulators. IAC Electricals has been a reliable and genuine manufacturer and supplier of electrical components.