What Are Low-Voltage Insulators and How Do They Work?
Insulators are essential components of any electrical system; They ensure electricity flows only along its intended path within a circuit. Electricity escaping from a circuit can damage nearby components and pose serious risks if it comes into contact with other conductors or grounded surfaces.
Insulators are made from non-conductive materials, meaning they’re specifically designed to prevent electricity from leaving a circuit. In particular, circuits rated with UL® Recognized in E125470 and evaluated for dielectric withstand rating of 1,500 VAC/DC.
How Low Voltage Insulators are Applied
While all low-voltage insulators share the same end goal of keeping the flow of electricity in a circuit predictable and controlled, they fall into two application categories. The type of insulator depends on its intended application and the method used to control the electrical flow.
Low-voltage insulators are applied in many ways. Below are two examples:
Standoff Insulators
Standoff insulators are spaced between components in an electrical system, creating gaps between components and surfaces. These gaps prevent conductors from contacting ground surfaces or other conductors, keeping the flow of electricity contained.
Contact with grounded surfaces or other conductors could easily lead to electrocution and damage to equipment, so standoff insulators are needed to keep switchgear, panelboards, transformers, and other devices operating safely.
Busbar Insulators
Busbar insulators, made of heat-resistant materials such as fiberglass and epoxy, are specifically used to isolate the electrical flow of conductive busbars in power distribution panels.
Busbar insulators operate on the same principle as standoff insulators, preventing busbars from contacting any grounded or conductive component or surface that could lead to the dangerous and unpredictable spread of electricity.
Characteristics of Low-Voltage Insulators
The secret to low-voltage insulators’ ability to control the flow of electricity in a circuit relies on four main characteristics. These four characteristics ensure they protect electrical systems and people around them from harm.
- Dielectric Strength
- Dielectric Rigidity
- Mechanical Strength
- Corrosion Resistance
Dielectric Strength
Dielectric strength is a low-voltage insulator’s most important characteristic, and it is how it keeps electricity contained in a circuit. Dielectric strength is a material’s ability to resist the flow of electricity attempting to pass through it.
Low-voltage insulators use materials with high dielectric strength, which means they reject any electricity that comes into contact with them and redirect it to its proper path in the circuit.
Dielectric Rigidity
Similar to dielectric strength, dielectric rigidity refers to a material’s ability to resist high voltages of electricity without discharging.
Again, low-voltage insulators are constructed of materials such as plastic, glass, porcelain, and silicone, all of which have high dielectric rigidity. Thanks to these materials, the insulator safely withstands high voltages, deflecting the flow of electricity back to its intended path.
Mechanical Strength
Mechanical strength is as straightforward as it sounds; low-voltage insulators must be durable to withstand the physical stress of daily operations without failure. Equipment that uses low-voltage insulators could be subject to impacts, fluctuating temperatures, and intense vibrations, which insulators must withstand to keep the electrical components safe from damage. Specifically, some insulators require “Seismic Testing”.Typical applications require testing, as NVent Insulators meet or exceed Seismic Requirement testing.
Corrosion Resistance
In electrical systems, mechanical strength isn’t enough if an insulator is susceptible to corrosion. Corrosion can be caused by exposure to moisture and airborne contaminants, eroding metal components. Low-voltage insulators are commonly made of materials that resist corrosion, guaranteeing a longer operating life.
Low-Voltage Insulator Materials
To safely and reliably control the flow of electricity in an electrical system, low-voltage insulators must be made from durable, corrosion-resistant, and non-conductive materials. Each material has advantages and drawbacks, so the best choice depends on the application.
- Glass Fiber Reinforced Polyester with Steel Inserts insulators
One of the most common types, low-voltage glass fiber reinforced insulators, boast high dielectric strength and durability compared to other materials. They are also highly resistant to environmental factors, like corrosion or wind.
Industries and Applications of Low-Voltage Insulators
Low-voltage insulators are a staple in almost any electronic device or equipment that operates at a dielectric withstand rating up to 1,500 VAC/DC. They are incredibly versatile and can be found worldwide in numerous residential, commercial, and industrial applications.
Low-voltage insulators are used in various industries, including:
- Manufacturing: Powering automated machinery and control systems.
- Data Centers: Supporting sensitive electronic infrastructure by reliably directing the flow of electricity.
- HVAC: Temperature control and other essential systems of HVAC equipment rely on low-voltage insulators to operate reliably.
Dynamic Electronics: Factory-Direct Industrial Products
Industries worldwide depend on low-voltage insulators to protect electrical equipment and ensure personnel safety from electrical leakage hazards. Explore our wide range of low-voltage insulators for nearly any industrial application to learn more. Contact us today to find your custom solution.
