As technology advances, we get alternative innovations to sort our needs by day. The wire and cable world isn’t left behind as new types of cables are innovated to improve the type of services the older ones could offer. Electrical insulation comprises the elements that play a great role in the wire and cable industry. There are different types of wire insulations. They all differ in the material used to make them and their abilities to withstand different conditions. Let’s get to understand more about electrical wire insulation.
Wire Insulation Types
Wire insulations come in different types, which determine their applications. They can be categorized as plastic wire insulation, rubber wire insulations, and fluoropolymers wire insulation.
Plastic wire insulations
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) insulation– This electrical wire insulation material is among the most utilized plastic wire insulation in the cable and wire insulation industry. PVC is highly preferred as it’s easy to use and offers the best flexibility. Moreover, it’s cost-efficient. PVC works best within temperatures -550C to 1050C, making it to be efficient even in extreme weather conditions. PVC wire insulation is utilized in different applications like; medical, commercial, and household devices.
- Polyethylene (PE) insulation-This wire insulation material is greatly produced and leading worldwide for its versatility in applications. It comes with a lower price making it easily attained. The material is heated and remolded into various shapes. Also, having a low dielectric and captaincies, it becomes highly resistant to alkalis, acids, moisture, and solvents.
- Polypropylene (PP) insulation– This thermoplastic polymer features a wider application. Polypropylene is heat resistant and non-polar, has a hardcover, but is less flexible. Works within a temperature of -300C to 1050
- Polyurethane (PUR) insulation– PUR is identified for its flexibility and stiffness at low temperatures. However, it isn’t much applicable since it’s flammable and has weak electrical characteristics.
- Nylon insulation– Nylon is a wire insulation material you will find in many cables and wires due to its ability to resist chemicals, abrasion, tear, and wears. The material is flexible. However, it’s a weak moisture-resistant material.
Rubber wire insulation
- Thermoplastic Rubber (TPR) insulation– This rubber wire insulation also goes by the name thermoplastic elastomer (TPE). This electrical wire insulation material act as a great resistance to weather, age, and heat. The insulator is suitable for harsh conditions.
- Polychloroprene or Neoprene insulation– Neoprene wire insulation is an efficient chemical-resistant material. It’s commonly applied in the oil, military, and power industries.
- Styrene-butadiene insulation (SBR)– This wire insulation is made from a combination of Butadiene and Styrene. This combination makes the insulation unique as it can work within temperatures ranges of -550C to 900 It’s also abrasion-resistant, thus replacing most other natural rubbers.
- Silicone rubber wire insulation– Silicone is considered general-purpose electrical wire insulation It has a high-temperature range making it to be applicable in many fields. It can efficiently deliver its services at a temperature up to 2500C.
- Ethylene Propylene Rubber (EPR) insulations– Ethylene propylene rubber is preferred for its efficient high voltage applications. Also, it has great thermal characteristics and can work within temperatures ranging from -500C to 1600
- Rubber insulation-Rubber is preferred since it’s rather difficult for electricity to go or breakthrough. The material is oil, grease, and ozone resistant.
Fluoropolymers wire insulations
- PTA insulations– This is a significant wire insulator with a large temperature range (-1000C-2500C). Commonly applied in thermocouple wires. Also, the military, oil, and gas industries use these wire insulations as they have great resistance to chemicals, UV, and fire. Most importantly, they have a good flexibility characteristic.
- Polytetrafluoroethylene (PTFE) insulation– PTFE is another great wire insulation material with many applications. It is preferred for its temperature range (-600C-2000C). Similar to PTA, it’s resistant to fire, UV radiation, and chemicals and highly flexible.
- Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene (FEP) insulation– The material is associated with significant electrical properties. Highly resistant to chemicals and high temperatures. It can work best within temperatures of -800C to 2000 These characteristics allow the insulator to be applicable in aerospace, aviation, electronic and medical industries.
- Ethylene Tetrafluoroethylene (ETFE) insulation– ETFE is a manufacturer of fluorine. It has various applications due to its strength, works under extreme temperatures, it’s corrosion-resistant, and is recyclable.
- Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE) insulation– TPE wire insulation is an efficient insulator with a temperature range of -500C and 1050 The material is resistant to UV radiation and fire. It’s preferred for its flexibility and thus used to create portable control cables in robotics, automotive, and medical industries.
- Fiberglass insulation– This type of wire insulation features different applications. Most of its applications can be traced to heat treating, ceramic kiln, and aluminum processing industries. The insulation is abrasion-free and chemical and moisture resistant.
Conclusion
There is a variety of electrical wire insulations for different applications. When you want to select any insulation, understand the conditions subject to the wires or cables. This way, you will get the best type that will serve you for an extended period. For more details, consider contacting us today.