Types of Insulators

What is an insulator?
An insulator is a material in which the electricity does not flow independently. This is
because the atoms of the insulator have tighter bound electrons that cannot move easily.
Commonly found insulators are paper, plastic, rubber, glass, and air.

Semiconductors and conductors are non-insulator materials in that it conducts electric

current more easily. Compared to semiconductors or conductors, insulators have higher
resistivity. They are mainly used for covering materials that carry electricity.

For example, the plastic cover that surrounds the wires, as it prevents electricity from
flowing where it is not needed. In addition, insulators are also used specifically to
connect power distribution or transmission lines to utility poles and transmission
towers.

Why insulators are important?

The primary function of the insulator is to separate the conductor from the transmission
tower in the transmission line. They create a barrier between the active parts of an
electrical circuit and restrict the flow of current to wires or other conducting paths as
needed.

In a wire, an electric current occurs when the electron moves. Since insulators have
tightly bound electrons they are stationary and do not move throughout the substance.
They serve to hold the current in position and separate the pole from the conductor to
avoid leakage of current to earth.

If it is not insulated properly, the current will flow across the pole. So if any animal or
people touch the pole then they get shocked which can also lead to death.

Read Also: What are the different types of capacitors used in an electrical circuit?

Types of Insulators
Following are the main types of insulators used in power transmission lines:

1. Disc insulator
2. Post insulator
3. Pin insulator
4. Strain insulator
5. Suspension insulator

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6. Shakle insulator
7. Stay insulator
8. Polymer insulator
9. Glass insulator
10. Long rod insulator

#1 Disc Insulators

As the name suggests, the shape of the insulator is like a disc hence it is called a disc
insulator. These types of insulators are used in high voltage transmission and
distribution lines. Disc insulators are designed to meet the required electro-mechanical
strength.

In addition, they are a cost-effective solution for medium and low polluted
environments. The applications of these insulators include transmission lines, industrial
and commercial as they have high efficient features like low corrosion, robust design.

They provide insulation as well as support to line conductors in suspension and tension
systems. Also, it is capable of maintaining high voltages within high loads.

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#2 Post Insulators

It is a high voltage insulator designed to be used in substations because it is suitable for

different voltage levels. These are employed because they ensure the safe and stable
distribution of electricity generated in power plants.

Post insulators are made of ceramic material or of a single piece of composite material
(silicone rubber) and are capable of carrying power up to 1100KV. It is placed in a
vertical position and is widely used to protect transformers, switchgear, and other
connecting equipment due to its excellent mechanical properties.

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#3 Pin Insulators

The pin insulators are mostly seen in power distribution lines. It is a device that
insulates a wire from physical support such as a pin (wooden or metal dowel) on a
utility pole. It is a single-layer shape made of a non-conducting material, usually
porcelain or glass.

Single or number of pin insulators can be used on physical support, depending on the
application of voltage. The pin insulator is capable of carrying voltages up to 11kV and
is designed with a high mechanical strength material. These are arranged in either a
vertical or a horizontal position.

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#4 Strain Insulators

These types of insulators are designed to operate under mechanical stress to withstand
the stretch of a suspended electrical wire or cable. It is similar to a suspension insulator
as it is used to support radio antennas and overhead power lines.

A strain insulator is arranged between two lengths of wire to electrically separate them
from each other while maintaining a mechanical connection. Or used where a wire joins
a pole or tower, to deliver the pull of wire to support while electrically insulating it.
These insulators have a voltage potential of about 33kV.

Advantages of Strain Insulator

1. These are easily designed from a piece of glass, porcelain, or fiberglass.

2. If the insulator is damaged, the stay or guy wire will not fall on the ground.

#5 Suspension Insulators

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These types of insulators are generally used as conductors to protect the overhead
transmission lines. The suspension insulator is commonly made of porcelain material
and is used in towers. They have a number of insulators that are connected in series to a
form string.

It is hinged on the cross arm of the tower and carries a power conductor at its lowest
end. These are used where a higher voltage of about 33 kV is required. Pin insulator
becomes economical as the size, weight of the insulator becomes more. To overcome
these difficulties, a suspension insulator is used.

#6 Shackle Insulators

Shackle insulators are generally small in size and used in low voltage distribution
systems. This type of insulator can be used in both vertical and horizontal positions.
The connection of this insulator can be done using a metal strip and is capable of
carrying a voltage of about 33 kV.

It has a tapered hole that distributes the load force more consistently, reducing the
chance of fracture once heavily loaded. The use of insulators has decreased recently
after the widespread use of underground cables for distribution purposes.

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#7 Stay Insulators

It is a type of low voltage insulator designed to counterweight and fasten dead-end

poles by combining a stay wire or main grip. These insulators are rectangular in shape
and are available in smaller sizes than other types.

These insulators can be arranged between the line conductor and the earth. In addition,
they also act as protection devices that protect against sudden faults otherwise sudden
voltage changes. The importance of these insulators is seen when the poles fall to the
ground or when the stay wires are accidentally broken due to additional mechanical
load.

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#8 Polymer Insulators

These are a type of electrical equipment usually made of polymer materials and metal
fittings. Furthermore, these insulators are made of fiberglass rods and are surrounded
by polymer weather sheds. Weather shades shield the insulator core from the outer
environment.

Polymer insulators are lighter in weight than the porcelain type while providing better
power. In general, it is considered a good insulator for both heat and electricity. It is
used as an insulator due to its unique electrical, mechanical, chemical, and thermal
properties.

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Uses [PDF]

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#9 Glass Insulators

These are types of insulators used in power transmission lines that are usually made of
annealed or toughened glass. The purpose of this insulator is to insulate the electrical
wires, so that electricity does not leak into all the poles and into the earth.

Previously, glass insulators were used in telegraph and telephone lines, which were
later replaced by ceramic and porcelain types in the 19th century. To overcome the
weakness of the glass, toughened glass types were introduced, which became popular
due to their long life span.

#10 Long Rod Insulators

The long rod insulators are usually hinged on steel towers to insolate the transmission
lines. In addition, they also act as protection devices as they supply power safely.

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Depending on the use and requirement, long rod insulators are generally composed of
multiple insulators.

These are porcelain rods with weather shed and metal end fittings on the outside. The
advantage of employing this type of insulator is that they are applicable for use in both
tension and suspension locations.

Advantages of Long Rod Insulator

1. The long rod insulator has many advantages like non-breakdown, good self-cleaning, low
breakage, etc.
2. They can provide better insulation performance under pollution conditions.
3. Fairly low weight for a complete insulator set and simple mounting of strings.

Wrap Up
As I already said, the insulator is a device that does not conduct electricity easily. Thus,
a brief idea is obtained about the types of insulators used in transmission lines and each
type has its own application.

Some of the criteria to be considered while choosing an insulator are a dielectric factor,
operating temperature, economic factor, and recognized material.

So for now, I hope I’ve covered everything about “types of insulators“. If you still have
any doubts or questions regarding this topic, you can contact us or ask in the comments,
we will reply to you. If you liked it, then share this with your friends and spread the
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