Rubber, Glass, Plastic or Ceramics- which is the best electrical ...

13 Jan.,2025

 

Rubber, Glass, Plastic or Ceramics- which is the best electrical ...

Which Is The Best Electrical Insulator- Rubber, Glass, Plastic Or Ceramics?

Which Is The Best Electrical Insulator- Rubber, Glass, Plastic Or Ceramics?

Electricity powers the world. It is essential to keep life moving. From huge machines at the factories to the lights at homes, without electricity, everything seems to come to a standstill. However, electricity can lead to accidents when not managed carefully. This is where an electrical insulator comes into the picture.
Electrical rubber mats are widely used for insulating purposes.

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  • But how effective is rubber as an electrical insulator?

  • Are they the same as an electrical floor heat mat?
  • What are the other types of electrical insulators available?

What is an electrical insulator?

An electrical insulator is a type of material that does not allow the flow of electricity through it. The reason behind it lies in the composition of the insulator material. They do not have any free-flowing electrons in them.

Curious about insulation resistance and why it matters? Discover the fascinating details here!

Some of the common electrical insulators that we will discuss here are-

  • Rubber

  • Glass

  • Plastic

  • Ceramics

On the contrary, conductive materials mean electricity can pass through them because of their electron composition- loose electrons and a weak attraction between the nucleus and electrons.

Rubber as an electrical insulator- Properties and uses

Rubber has excellent flexibility and proven insulation resistance. Electrical rubber mats are used for industrial insulation solutions.

Industrial safety compliance of electrical mats:

Insulating mats are primarily of IS :, IEC :, and ASTM D-178 standards. The IS : compliant mats can withstand voltages ranging from approximately 3.3 kV to 33 kV. IEC : and ASTM D-178 compliant dielectric mats have volt rubber matting to volt rubber matting.

Properties:

  • Di-electric strength:

    Dielectric strength refers to the maximum electric field a material can withstand before it breaks down and starts conducting electricity. The dielectric strength of a rubber mat as an electrical insulator material depends on its class as decided through testing standards. Before purchasing dielectric mats, it is important to check their dielectric strength and voltage withstanding capability. The testing standards for electrical mats are IS , ASTM D178, and IEC .

  • Flexibility:

    Rubber is flexible, and so is an electrical safety mat. Hence, they can be used in a wide number of applications.

  • Durability:

    High-quality electrical mats can sustain wear-tear and the effects of weather, and moisture.

If you want to know about 6 commonly used electrical mats, click here!

Applications:

Electrical rubber mats are placed near high-voltage equipment like switchboards, LT-HT panels, Busbars, transformer units, etc.

Other than electrical rubber mats, rubber is used to make

  • Electrical Insulation Tape:

    Used to insulate electrical wires and other conductive materials.

  • Electrical Floor Heat Mats:

    Common in residential and industrial settings for underfloor heating technology, providing warm floor solutions and insulation resistance.

  • Cable Insulation:

    Frequently used to insulate wires and cables in various settings.

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Glass as an electrical insulator: Properties and uses

Sand, soda ash, and limestone are heated at a high temperature to make glass. On heating, the electrons in glass get tightly bound to each other- this is how it loses conductive features:

Properties:

  • Thermal heating resistance:

    Glass can withstand high temperatures without degrading or breaking down.

  • Non-Porous:

    Its surface does not have pores on it because of a tighter composition.

  • Brittleness:

    While a good insulator, glass is fragile and can break easily.

Uses:

Glass is chosen as an electrical insulator in:

  • Power lines and substations:

    Used in power lines and substations to insulate electrical conductors.

  • Transformer Bushings:

    Insulate connections to high-voltage transformers.

  • Lighting Systems:

    Integral in insulating components within lamps and bulbs.

Plastic as an electrical insulator- Properties and uses

Ceramics as an electrical insulator- Properties and uses

Comparison between different electrical insulators:

  • Flexibility
  • Thermal Resistance
  • Chemical Resistance
  • Durability
  • Versatility
  • Cost

To Conclude: How to Choose the best electrical insulator

Choosing the right electrical insulator depends on your intended application. Rubber, glass, plastic, and ceramics- all of them have different properties. However, if you are seeking a balance between functionality, cost, and versatility- rubber should be your choice. Rubber is used as a high voltage insulator due to its high voltage withstanding capacity.

With competitive price and timely delivery, Decai sincerely hope to be your supplier and partner.

You will find a electrical rubber mat buyer's guide by clicking here!

We can help you with the best electrical rubber mat prices if you are going with rubber. Connect with our experts today!

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Insulation Materials

Fiberglass consists of extremely fine glass fibers and is one of the most ubiquitous insulation materials. It's commonly used in many different forms of insulation: blanket (batts and rolls), loose-fill, and is also available as rigid boards and duct insulation.

Manufacturers now produce medium- and high-density fiberglass batt insulation products that have slightly higher R-values than the standard batts. The denser products are intended for insulating areas with limited cavity space, such as cathedral ceilings.

High-density fiberglass batts for a 2 by 4-inch (51 by 102 millimeter [mm]) stud-framed wall has an R-15 value, compared to R-11 for "low density" types. A medium-density batt offers R-13 for the same thickness. High-density batts for a 2 by 6-inch (51 by 152 mm) frame wall offer R-21, and high-density batts for an 8.5-inch (216-mm) spaces yield about an R-30 value. R-38 batts for 12-inch (304-mm) spaces are also available.

Fiberglass insulation is made from molten glass that is spun or blown into fibers. Most manufacturers use up tp 40% to 60% recycled glass content. Loose-fill insulation must be applied using an insulation-blowing machine in either open-blow applications (such as attic spaces) or closed-cavity applications (such as those found inside existing walls or covered attic floors). Learn more about where to insulate.

One variation of fiberglass loose-fill insulation is the Blow-In-Blanket System® (BIBS). BIBS is blown in dry, and tests have shown that walls insulated with a BIBS system are significantly better filled than those insulated using other forms of fiberglass insulation such as batts because of the effective coverage obtained by this method of application.

The newer BIBS HP is an economical hybrid system that combines BIBS with spray polyurethane foam.

Cellulose insulation is made from recycled paper products, primarily newsprint, and has a very high recycled material content, generally 82% to 85%. The paper is first reduced to small pieces and then fiberized, creating a product that packs tightly into building cavities.

Manufacturers add the mineral borate, sometimes blended with the less costly ammonium sulfate, to ensure fire and insect resistance. Cellulose insulation, when installed at proper densities, cannot settle in a building cavity.

Cellulose insulation is used in both new and existing homes, as loose-fill in open attic installations and dense packed in building cavities such as walls and cathedral ceilings. In existing structures, installers remove a strip of exterior siding, usually about waist high; drill a row of three-inch holes, one into each stud bay, through the wall sheathing; insert a special filler tube to the top of the wall cavity; and blow the insulation into the building cavity, typically to a density of 1.5 to 3.5 lb. per cubic foot. When installation is complete, the holes are sealed with a plug and the siding is replaced and touched up if necessary to match the wall.

In new construction, cellulose can be either damp-sprayed or installed dry behind netting. When damp sprayed, a small amount of moisture is added at the spray nozzle tip, activating natural starches in the product, and causing it to adhere inside the cavity. Damp-sprayed cellulose is typically ready for wall covering within 24 hours of installation. Cellulose can also be blown dry into netting stapled over building cavities.

Polystyrene--a colorless, transparent thermoplastic--is commonly used to make foam board or beadboard insulation, concrete block insulation, and a type of loose-fill insulation consisting of small beads of polystyrene.

Molded expanded polystyrene (MEPS), commonly used for foam board insulation, is also available as small foam beads. These beads can be used as a pouring insulation for concrete blocks or other hollow wall cavities, but they are extremely lightweight, take a static electric charge very easily, and are notoriously difficult to control.

Other polystyrene insulation materials similar to MEPS are expanded polystyrene (EPS) and extruded polystyrene (XPS). EPS and XPS are both made from polystyrene, but EPS is composed of small plastic beads that are fused together and XPS begins as a molten material that is pressed out of a form into sheets. XPS is most commonly used as foam board insulation. EPS is commonly produced in blocks, which can easily be cut to form board insulation. Both EPS and XPS are often used as the insulation for structural insulating panels (SIPs) and insulating concrete forms (ICFs). Over time, the R-value of XPS insulation can drop as some of the low-conductivity gas escapes and air replaces it--a phenomenon is known as thermal drift or aging. 

The thermal resistance or R-value of polystyrene foam board depends on its density. Polystyrene loose-fill or bead insulation typically has a lower R-value compared to the foam board.

Polyisocyanurate or polyiso is a thermosetting type of plastic, closed-cell foam that contains a low-conductivity, hydrochlorofluorocarbon-free gas in its cells.

Polyisocyanurate insulation is available as a liquid, sprayed foam, and rigid foam board. It can also be made into laminated insulation panels with a variety of facings. Foamed-in-place applications of polyisocyanurate insulation are usually cheaper than installing foam boards, and can perform better because the liquid foam molds itself to all of the surfaces.

Over time, the R-value of polyisocyanurate insulation can drop as some of the low-conductivity gas escapes and air replaces it -- a phenomenon is known as thermal drift or ageing. Experimental data indicates that most thermal drift occurs within the first two years after the insulation material is manufactured.

Foil and plastic facings on rigid polyisocyanurate foam panels can help slow down the aging process. Reflective foil, if installed correctly and facing an open air space, can also act as a radiant barrier. Depending upon the size and orientation of the air space, this can add another R-2 to the overall thermal resistance.

Some manufacturers use polyisocyanurate as the insulating material in structural insulated panels (SIPs). Foam board or liquid foam can be used to manufacture a SIP. Liquid foam can be injected between two wood skins under considerable pressure, and, when hardened, the foam produces a strong bond between the foam and the skins. Wall panels made of polyisocyanurate are typically 3.5 inches (89 mm) thick. Ceiling panels are up to 7.5 inches (190 mm) thick. These panels, although more expensive, are more fire and water vapor-diffusion resistant than EPS. They also insulate 30% to 40% better for given thickness.

Polyurethane is a thermoset foam insulation material that contains a low-conductivity gas in its cells. Polyurethane foam insulation is available in closed-cell and open-cell formulas. With closed-cell foam, the high-density cells are closed and filled with a gas that helps the foam expand to fill the spaces around it. Open-cell foam cells are not as dense and are filled with air, which gives the insulation a spongy texture and a lower R-value.

Like polyiso foam, the R-value of closed-cell polyurethane insulation can drop over time as some of the low-conductivity gas escapes and air replaces it in a phenomenon known as thermal drift or ageing. Most thermal drift occurs within the first two years after the insulation material is manufactured, after which the R-value remains unchanged unless the foam is damaged.

Foil and plastic facings on rigid polyurethane foam panels can help slow down thermal drift. Reflective foil, if installed correctly and facing an open air space, can also act as a radiant barrier. Depending upon the size and orientation of the air space, this can add another R-2 to the overall thermal resistance.

Polyurethane insulation is available as a liquid sprayed foam and rigid foam board. It can also be made into laminated insulation panels with a variety of facings. 

Sprayed or foamed-in-place applications of polyurethane insulation are usually cheaper than installing foam boards, and these applications usually perform better because the liquid foam molds itself to all of the surfaces. All closed-cell polyurethane foam insulation made today is produced with a non-HCFC (hydrochlorofluorocarbon) gas as the foaming agent.

Low-density, open-cell polyurethane foams use air as the blowing agent and have an R-value that doesn't change over time. These foams are similar to conventional polyurethane foams but are more flexible. Some low-density varieties use carbon dioxide (CO2) as the foaming agent.

Low-density foams are sprayed into open wall cavities and rapidly expand to seal and fill the cavity. Slow expanding foam is also available, which is intended for cavities in existing homes. The liquid foam expands very slowly, reducing the chance of damaging the wall from overexpansion. The foam is water vapor permeable, remains flexible, and is resistant to wicking of moisture. It can provide good air sealing, is fire resistant, and won't sustain a flame.

Soy-based, polyurethane liquid spray-foam products are also available. These products can be applied with the same equipment used for petroleum-based polyurethane foam products.

Some manufacturers use polyurethane as the insulating material in structural insulated panels (SIPs). Foam board or liquid foam can be used to manufacture a SIP. Liquid foam can be injected between two wood skins under considerable pressure, and, when hardened, the foam produces a strong bond between the foam and the skins. Wall panels made of polyurethane are typically 3.5 inches (89 mm) thick. Ceiling panels are up to 7.5 inches (190 mm) thick. These panels, although more expensive, are more fire and water vapor-diffusion resistant than EPS. They also insulate 30% to 40% better for given thickness.

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