INSULATOR

DEFINITION

 Electricinsulator is a material where

internal electric charges do not flow freely
and make it impossible to conduct electric
current under the influence of electric
current.

 E.g.- glass, paper, teflon , plastics

 TYPES
Pin type insulators
 The pin type insulator is mounted on a pin on
the cross-arm on the pole. There is a groove on
the upper end of the insulator.
 Pin type insulators are used for transmission and
distribution of communications, and electric
power at voltages up to 33 kV. Beyond operating
voltage of 33 kV.
 Suspension insulator
 For voltages greater than 33 kV, it is a usual
practice to use suspension type insulators,
consisting of a number of glass or porcelain
discs connected in series by metal links in the
form of a string.
 Strain type insulator
 Used at a dead end of the line or at the corner or
at a sharp curve , where there is a great tension.
 Used for high voltage transmissions.
Shackle type insulators
 Designed to support low voltages.

 They are single , round porcelain parts that are

mounted horizontally or vertically.
 Used on sharp curves or end poles.
PROPERTIES

 It must be mechanically strong .

 It must possess high insulation resistance.

 It should have very high dielectric strength.

 Good thermal conductivity.

 Good moisture withstanding capacity .

 It should be chemically inert.

 It should be able to withstand vibration,

abrasion and bending.
 It must be free from unwanted impurities.
 Mechanical strength
 The strength of a material is its ability to
withstand an applied stress without failure.
The applied stress may be tensile,
compressive or shear.

 It
must be strong enough to carry tension and
weight of conductor.
 Dielectric strength
 The critical magnitude of electric field at which
the breakdown of a material takes place is called
the dielectric strength of the material.
 It is usually expressed in terms of the voltage at
which the insulation fails because of the
electrostatic stress.

Insulation resistance
 It is usually expressed in terms of the voltage at
which the insulation fails because of the
electrostatic stress.
 It prevents leakage current to the earth.
CLASSIFICATIION OF INSULATORS
BASED ON TEMPERATURE
CLASSIFICATION

 Class Y
 Class A
 Class E
 Class B
 Class F
 Class H
 Class C
 Class-Y insulation : Withstands a temperature of up to
90°C; typically made of cotton, silk, or paper
 Class-A insulation : Withstands a temperature of up to
105°C; reinforced Class-Y materials with impregnated
varnish or insulation oil.
 Class E insulation: Withstands a temperature of up to
120ºC.
 Class B insulation : Withstands a temperature of up to
130ºC.
 Class F insulation : Withstands a temperature of to
155ºC.
 Class H insulation : Withstands a temperature
of up to 180ºC.
 Class C insulation : Withstands a temperature
of up to 180ºC or higher.
 Class Y
 This class consists of materials, or combinations
of materials that could withstand a temperature
of 90oC.
 Materials that come under this class are not
preferred much for electrical machinery and
apparatus as they deteriorate rapidly and are
extremely hygroscopic.
 E.g.-Cotton, silk, paper, cellulose, wood etc.
 Class A
 This class consists of materials, or combinations
of materials that could withstand a temperature
of 105oC.
 E. g:-Cotton, silk and paper suitably impregnated
with natural resins, cellulose ester or immersed
in oil
 Class E
 This class consists of materials, or combinations
of materials that could withstand a temperature
of 120oC.
 E.g.-Synthetic resin enamels, cotton and paper
laminates with formaldehyde.
 Class B
 This class consists of materials, or combinations
of materials that could withstand a temperature
of 130oC.
 E.g.- Mica, glass fibers, asbestos with suitable
bonding substances .

Mica sheets
 Class F
 This class consists of materials, or combinations
of materials that could withstand a temperature
of 155oC.
 E . g:- Mica, glass fibers, asbestos Built up Mica,
glass fibers, asbestos laminates etc. with suitable
bonding substances of high thermal stability
come under this class.

Glass insulated materials

 Class H
 This class consists of materials, or combinations
of materials that could withstand a temperature
of 180oC.
 E .g :- Materials like Mica, glass fibers, asbestos
with suitable bonding substances such as
silicones come under this class.
Class C
 This class consists of materials, or combinations
of materials that could withstand a temperature
above 180oC.
 E .g:- Mica, ceramics, glass, quartz without
binders or with silicon binders of higher thermal
stability come under this class.