CHARACFERISTICS OF A GOOD INSULATING MATERIAL

A good insulating material should possess the following characteristics.

1. Large insulation resistance.

2. High dielectric strength.
3. Uniform viscosity—it gives uniform electrical and thermal properties.
4. Should be uniform throughout—it keeps the electric losses as low as possible and
electric stresses uniform under high voltage differences%
5. Least thermal expansion.
6. When exposed to arcing should be non-ignitable.
7. Should be resistant to oils or liquids, gas fumes acids and alkalies.
8. Should have no deteriorating effect on the material, in contact with it.
9. Low dissipation factor (loss tangent)
10. High mechanical strength.
11. High thermal conductivity.
12. Low permittivity.
13. High thermal strength.
14. Free from gaseous insulation to avoid discharges (for solids and gases)
15. Should be homogeneous to avoid local stress concentration.
16. Should be resistant to thermal and chemical deterioration.
CLASSIFICATION OF INSULATING MATERIALS

1. Classification According to Substances and

Materials
(i) Solids (Inorganic and organic)
Mica, wood, slate, glass, porcelain, rubber, cotton, silk, rayon,
terylene, paper and cellulose materials etc.
(ii) Liquids (Oils and Varnishes)
Linseed oil, refined hydrocarbon mineral oils, spirit and synthetic
varnishes etc.
(iii) Gases
Dry air, carbon dioxide argon nitrogen etc.
Classification according to Temperature

 Class Y:Cotton, silk. paper, cellulose, wood,

etc. neither impregnated nor immersed in oil.
 Materials of Y class are unsuitable for
electrical machines and apparatus as they
deteriorate rapidly and are extremely
hygroscopic .
 Limiting Insulation temperature 90C
MICA (properties)
(i) It is a mineral composed of silicate of
aluminium with silicate of soda potash and
magnesia. It occurs in the form of crystals
which can easily be split into laminae.
(ii) It is affected by oils.
(iii) The resistivity of mica at 25°C ranges from
about 10^12 to 10^6 Ώ cm depending on
inclusions etc.
(iv) The dielectric strength varies from 40 to
150 kV/mm thickness
• (v)It is least affected by heat but dehydrates at high temperatures.
• (vi) it has high dielectric strength and low power loss. It is rigid, tough
and strong.
• (vii) Moisture does not have any affect on it.
(viii)its electrical properties are deteriorated with the presence of
quartz and felspar.
(ix) Mica resists to a high degree the attack of gases such as
combination products but is attacked by warm hydrochloric acid
potassium hydrate, warm alkaline carbonates, and water containing
carbon dioxide.
Uses
(I )Mica sheets are used for the insulating leaves between commutator
segments. These are however not available in large thickness
• (ii) Thick mica tape is largely used for taping armature and field coil of
traction motors (in cases where glass tape is not employed) and for
taping the stator coils of h.v. alternator.
(iii) Mica is usually avoided for slot linings of h. v. machines because its
space factor is low
 CERAMIC
• It is time product which is produced by the action of fire on earthly
material. Ii is available in the following forms
(a) Steatite
Properties
(i) It is prepared from hydrated magnesium silicate mixed with
small proportions of clay and feispar. The firing of mixture is
carried up to 1400°C when it forms into a dense homogeneous
mass.
(ii) Its mechanical strength is high.
(iii) Possesses good electrical properties.
(iv) It is considerably hard and tough.
(v) Insulation resistance is high.
(vi) Parts prepared from steatite are very cheap.
Uses
It is suitable for electronic equipment particularly at high
• (b) Cordierite
Properties
(i) It is magnesium-aluminium silicate.
(ii) Possesses good heat conductivity.
(iii) Low thermal expansion.
(iv) High insulation resistance at high temperatures.
Uses
It is used in the making of insulators ad supports for
electrical heating elements where resistance to heat
shock is of importance.
(c) Rutile
(i) It is suitable for making loss ceramics
having high dielectric constant.
(ii) These are used in capacitors to be operated
at high frequencies.
(d) Aluminium oxide
It is employed for producing ceramics suitable
for use as insulators for spark plugs in
aircrafts.
Polyethylene(PE)
• This material originated in England and was
first produced commercially in United States in
1943.
• Polythenes are obtainable as viscous liquids,
gums and tough flexible solids suitable for
moulding.
 Polyethylene(PE)……
• Properties
(i) They are wax like in appearance, translucent,
odour less and one of the lightest plastics.
(ii) Flexible over a wide temperature range.
(iii) High resistivity and dielectric strength.
(iv) Chemically resistant.
(v) Do not absorb moisture
(vi)Dielectric loss and dielectric constant are low
(vii)They are relatively cheaper in cost
PVC
• The vinyl chlorides are formed from hydrochloric acid, limestone, and
natural gas or coal. The forms of vinyl chloride are almost unlimited.

• Properties

(i) The flexible types are strong, tear resistant and have good ageing
properties.
(ii) The rigid types have good dimensional stability and are water resistant.
They are resistance to acids and alkalies.
(iii) It becomes soft beyond 80°C.
(iv) It is self extinguishing when ignited and the source of flame removed.
(v) The hard type of PVC is formulated with less plasticizer than the
general purpose grade and shows less tendency to flow at high
temperatures which is an advantage when the cables are to be laid in very
hot surroundings.
PVC PROPERITES…………..
• (vi) Although its electrical properties are not
so good as those of rubber, it offers more
resistance to oxygen, ozone and sunlight.
(vii) Specific gravity 1.03
(viii) Softening temperature 120°C
(ix) Dielectric constant 5.6
(x) Insulation resistance 10 — 1013
(xi) Dielectric strength (kV/mm) 30
PVC……….
• Uses
• (i) Insulation or jacket material for various
types of house wirings, power cables, control
cables, military and aircraft wires,
communication and signal wirings.
(ii) Polyvinyl chloride films, tapes and sheets
are commonly used as insulation for dry
batteries, conductors and cables.
•
epoxy resins
Epoxy resin is basically a polymer of epichlorhydrin and bisphenol
• Properties
(1) They are of’transparent light amber colour and have very little shrinkage.
(ii) As coating materials they have shown superior toughness, elasticity, and chemical
resistance.
(iii) As adhesives these materials have shown extremely high bond strength without the
need for pressure for curing.
(iv) Good solvent and chemical resistance.
(v) Good adhesion to metals.
Other properties are as follows
Specified gravity 1.1-1.85
Tensile strength, kgf/cm2 0.42-0.84 x io
Compressive strength, kgf/cm 0.63-1.9 x
Water absorption 0.07-0.5
Dielectric constant (60 Hz) 3.3-5.4
Volume resistivity, ohm-cm i014i016
Power factor 0.008-0.03
• Uses
(i) They are used as insulating material in cable
end boxes, cable point boxes, instrument
transformers etc.
(ii) They are used as insulating varnishes.
(iii) They have also found considerable use as
casting materials
Teflon
• — Poytetra-fIuroethyIene
It is also called Teflon. It is manufactured by catalytic polymerisation of tetra fluro ethylene.
Properties
(i) It can withstand high temperatures (up to 300°C) (ii) it shows excellent stability against
degradation (due to oxidation,
temperature or solvent present)
(iii Density, gmlcrn3 2.1-2.3
(iv) Impact strength, kgf/cm2 7100
(v) Tensile strength, kgf/cm2 140-250
(vi) Elongation at rupture, %250-500
(vii) Electric strength at 20°C, kV/mm 25-27
(viii) Volume resistivity at 20°C, ohm-cm 10161018 (ix) Dielectric constant at 50 Hz and 20°C
1.9-2.3
• Uses
• (i) It is used as thin films in capacitors.
(ii) Used for covering conductors and cables which are to operate at high temperatures.
SF6 gas
• Physical properties
• It is about five times heavier than air, and has a density of 6.1 4kg /
m3.
• It is colorless, odorless and non-toxic.
• .
• It is a gas which the speed of sound propagation is about three
times less than in air, at atmospheric pressure. The interruption of
the arc will therefore be less loud in SF6 than in air.
• The dielectric strength of SF6 in on average 2.5 times that of air,
and, by increasing pressure, it can be seen that the dielectric
strength also increases and than around 3.5 bar of relative
pressure, SF6 has the same strength as fresh oil.
• In its initial state, before it has undergone thermal stress
(usually the electric arc); SF6 is perfectly safe in normal
conditions:
• - It is non-toxic,
• - It is uninflammable,
• - It will not explode.
• This does not mean that no precautions need to be taken:
because of its lack of oxygen, this gas will not support life.
• Man dies when the oxygen level of the gas he is breathing
falls below 12 %.