When it comes to materials related to electricity or electric fields, the list is very long. However, there are some materials and substances which are really important in daily life activities. Some of these may require complex understanding, and if not, then it might create confusion. Insulators and non-conductors are two such terms.
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Non-Conductors are materials that do not allow the flow of electric current in a body. It is a poor electrical insulator. An applied electric field can polarize this material. These materials are also called dielectric materials. They are materials with a high polarizability. Ceramics, glasses, mica, and plastics are popular examples.
Comparison Table Between Insulator and Non-Conductor
| Parameters of Comparison | Insulator | Non-Conductor |
| Meaning | Substances that prohibit transmission of heat, sound, or electricity. | Materials that prohibit the flow of electric current. |
| Origin | It originated from the Latin word ‘insulate’, which means to isolate. | It originated from the word ‘electric’. |
| Synonyms | Its synonyms are insulant- for substances, and isolation- for the process. | It is also called Dielectric. |
| Indication | It means electrical restriction or obstruction. | It means energy storing capacity of material. |
| Example | Some examples are plastics, paper, styrofoam, glass, rubber, and dry air. | Some examples are porcelain or ceramic, glass, mica, plastics, and the oxides of different metals. |
What is Insulator?
An insulator refers to different substances that block or resist the flow of electric or thermal currents. It is often considered a non-conducting material. However, it is generally a very poor conductor of electricity or something that has high electrical resistance. A material constant called resistivity helps in the comparison of various insulating and conducting materials. The purpose of electrical insulators is to hold conductors in position. This separates them from each other as well as their surrounding structures. They help in creating blockades between the energized circuit, confining the flow to the wires, and conducting paths. Electrical circuits must be compulsorily insulated for many safety reasons. Electric insulators are made up of different types of materials.
The insulators are chosen as per the requirements and applications. For electrical wiring in homes, buildings, and offices have copper conductors, and rubber or plastic insulators are used. Porcelain is used for overhead power lines. Mica is used for big generators and motors operating at high voltages and temperatures. Solid insulation is employed with liquid or gaseous insulation in some applications. Fibreglass, cork, rock wool are a few examples of thermal insulators. These substances are those which have low thermal conductivity. They also obstruct the flow of heat.
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References
- https://www.osti.gov/biblio/4204499
- https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/0368204876800291