Types of Insulators

The insulators can be divided based on their rating:

Pin Insulator

These insulators are generally used in distribution systems of electrical power. They can be oriented in vertical or horizontal alignment. These insulators require minimal maintenance. They typically consist of a groove to support the pin or the bolt.

Suspension Insulator

High-voltage transmission generally employs the use of suspension insulators. Materials like porcelain or glass are used for manufacturing them. The structure consists of a series of discs connected by a metallic link. Any breakage or damage in a single disc can be replaced by a new disc without destroying the whole link.

Strain Insulator

As suggested by the name these insulators are employed to handle the mechanical strain generated. It is placed in a bend or in between corners where the strain generated is greater. The design is similar to suspension insulator.

Shackle Insulator

Particularly small in size, shackle insulators are attached to a cross-arm to support the transmission lines. They are used in overhead distribution and their major characteristic is their U or V shape and their groove to hold the conductor.

Post Insulator

The post insulators are mechanically strong insulators commonly used in substations and indoor places. They have a vertical conductor connected to the top of the insulator.

Stay Insulator

They are commonly used to support the stay wires and provide additional support. These devices are particularly used to protect devices from sudden faults or voltage changes.

Disc Insulator

The characteristic of this insulator is their use in high-voltage transmission lines. They are a cost-effective method with minimum pollutants in the environment. The structure consists of several porcelain or glass discs connected in series by metal discs.

The insulator refers to a device whose prime function is to ‘insulate’. An insulator is an electrical device that opposes the flow of current in a circuit. This quality of insulators to resist the motion of electrons is of great electrical advantage. They are often used as a protection device in certain circuits with high currents.