ENGINEERING

CHEMISTRY

CY6251
INSULATORS:

Materials that do not allow electricity to pass

through them are called electrical insulators.

Insulators are also termed as dielectrics

Example: Glass, Paper and PTFE, which have

high resistivity, are very good electrical insulators.
1) Is air a good conductor or good insulator?

2) Why are electrical wires insulated?

Reason:

> Cable and wire insulation prevents the wire's

current from coming into contact with other
conductors, it preserves the wire material against
environmental threats and resists electrical leakage.
Main Purpose of Insulator:

>It protects from Electric shock or electrocution.

>To minimize the loss of electricity in parts of an

electrical system.
DIELECTRICS:

> Dielectrics are non – conducting materials which

has no free electrons.

> The electrons in a dielectric are bound within the

atom
>Ex: Ceramic, Plastic, Mica, Vacuum

>Dielectrics are made up of

1)Polar molecules

2) Non-polar molecules
Non-Polar Molecule:

A non-polar molecule is one in which centers of

positive and negative charges coincide. As a result, it
has no permanent dipole moment.

Example: Hydrogen (H2 ), Oxygen (O2 ), and Carbon

dioxide (CO2 ) etc.
 When an external electric field is applied, the
centers of positive and negative charges are separated
by a small distance which induces dipole moment in
the direction of the external electric field. Then the
dielectric is said to be polarized by an external electric
field.
Polar molecules:

In polar molecules, the centers of the positive and

negative charges are separated even in the absence of
an external electric field. They have a permanent
dipole moment.

Examples of polar molecules are H2O, N2O, HCl,

NH3.
 When an external electric field is applied, the
dipoles inside the polar molecule tend to align in the
direction of the electric field. Hence a net dipole
moment is induced in it. Then the dielectric is said to
be polarized by an external electric field
Classification of dielectrics:-

Dielectric materials are split into types based

on their state – solid, liquid, or gas. Each type
has differing dielectric properties and, due to its
state, different applications.
Solid dielectrics:
In practice, most dielectric materials tend to be
solid. They are used as insulation in capacitors, high
voltage transformers and switches, overhead lines and
cabling. They are more flexible, durable, absorb more
or less moisture, and have different thermal insulating
properties. 

Ex: Paper, Cloth, Rubber, Mica, Glass

Liquid Dielectrics:
One of the most common uses of liquid dielectrics
is in insulation and cooling for transformers, reactors,
capacitors and rheostats (variable resistors used to
control currents). Dielectrics in liquid form are used to
prevent or slow down electric discharges. They also
improve the heat conduction property of the apparatus

Ex: Mineral oil hydrocarbons, Silicone fluids

Gas dielectrics:

Gas dielectrics are commonly used in sealed

transformers, gas-insulated lines (GILs), voltage
switchgears, circuit breakers and gas-insulated
transformers (GIT).

Ex: Hydrogen (H2 ),Nitrogen (N2 ), and Carbon

dioxide (CO2 )
THANK YOU!!!