How Do Electrical Conductors and Insulators Work?

An electrical conductor and an insulator together work to control the flow of electricity throughout the system. Conductors allow electricity to flow freely between two objects, while insulators protect one item from electrical discharge. If you are planning to install an electrical system in your home, you will need to know the difference between the two devices. You want to identify each when you are preparing to do some wiring.

The Electrical Conductor



The electrical conductor contains a series of movable charges which are turned into electricity upon contact with another electrical source. The conductor allows the electricity to flow from one connection to another, so that if you have a conductor, you have a way of passing electricity through your system. These charges then transfer power to the next available conductor. Most electrical conductors are made from metal, copper being the most common in electrical wires. Copper is the next best conductor after silver, which is not generally used (except as a solder) due to its cost.



Copper is seen as tough and reliable, with a good conductivity and ability to be soldered to other copper without too much damage. Another common metal is aluminum. Although less costly than copper, aluminum has a number of problems, such as corrosion, loosening connections, and the increased risk of electrical fires.

Electrical Insulation



The opposite to a conductor, electrical insulation inhibits the flow of electricity between two points. While conductors carry electricity between two points, insulation prevents the electricity from one object passing into another. For example it will stop electricity flowing between two pieces of wire by keeping the current in one point.



Insulators are often used in combination with conductors to prevent the electricity from moving to a different point from where the electrician wants it to flow. Not all insulators, such as glass and paper, are suitable for wire. Most electrical wiring uses insulators made up of polymers and plastics which, while not ideal, still offer enough insulation to prevent electricity from being discharged.



While insulators are often good enough to keep thousands of volts moving in the right direction, occasionally they suffer from electrical breakdown. Corrosion of the surface means that the insulator can become a resistor, transferring electricity into heat. In order to keep the insulators in check, you should only fit them with the appropriate level of power for that substance. Anything in excess can lead to fires.

Electrical Conductors and Insulators



Most electrical conductors used in home wiring will be wrapped in an insulating material. Before they reach the home, power transmission lines are often bare, but when they come into the home, they will be embedded in plastics or even placed inside ceramic coats. Naked wires can cause fires, so you must protect everything inside the house with its own individual insulation. This insulation only disappears at the power device, when the wire is attached to the connectors.





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