Insulator
An electrical insulator is a material whose internal electric charges do not flow freely; very little electric current will flow through it under the influence of an electric field. This contrasts with other materials, semiconductors and conductors, which conduct electric current more easily. The property that distinguishes an insulator is its resistivity; insulators have higher resistivity than semiconductors or conductors.
A perfect insulator does not exist, because even insulators contain small numbers of mobile charges (charge carriers) which can carry current. In addition, all insulators become electrically conductive when a sufficiently large voltage is applied that the electric field tears electrons away from the atoms. This is known as the breakdown voltage of an insulator. Some materials such as glass, paper and Teflon, which have high resistivity, are very good electrical insulators. A much larger class of materials, even though they may have lower bulk resistivity, are still good enough to prevent significant current from flowing at normally used voltages, and thus are employed as insulation for electrical wiring and cables. Examples include rubber-like polymers and most plastics which can be thermoset or thermoplastic in nature.
Insulators are used in electrical equipment to support and separate electrical conductors without allowing current through themselves. An insulating material used in bulk to wrap electrical cables or other equipment is called insulation. The term insulator is also used more specifically to refer to insulating supports used to attach electric power distribution or transmission lines to utility poles and transmission towers. They support the weight of the suspended wires without allowing the current to flow through the tower to ground.
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Matching Insulator Colleges
Ivy Tech Community College
At least 2 but less than 4 years; Public; $8,777 average out-state tuition; $4,487 average in-state tuition |
Scholarships for Insulator Majors
NCK Tech Kansas Promise ScholarshipNorth Central Kansas Technical College |
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award Up to $20,000 |
deadline Varies |
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BrandSource x Foster Love ScholarshipFoster Love |
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award Up to $11,000 |
deadline Varies |
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ACI Foundation Fellowship ProgramAmerican Concrete Institute (ACI) |
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award Up to $15,000 |
deadline Varies |
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Schneider Electric SkillPointe ScholarshipSkillPointe Foundation |
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award $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
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Schneider Electric Boston Area SkillPointe ScholarshipSkillPointe Foundation |
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award $5,000 |
deadline Varies |
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Trade School ScholarshipSilicon Valley Power |
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award Up to $5,000 |
deadline September 30, 2024 |
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AGC Graduate ScholarshipAssociated General Contractors Education and Research Foundation |
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award $3,750 |
deadline November 01, 2024 |
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AmericanTrucks Student ScholarshipAmericanTrucks |
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award $2,500 |
deadline October 15, 2024 |
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John Grossheim Memorial ScholarshipNuts, Bolts, and Thingamajigs Foundation |
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award Up to $3,500 |
deadline Varies |
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Home Depot Foundation's Path to Pro ScholarshipSkillPointe Foundation |
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award $2,000 |
deadline December 31, 2024 |
Insulator Related Majors
- Electrician
- Construction Trades
- Building/Construction Site Management/Manager
- Building/Home/Construction Inspection/Inspector
- Electrical and Power Transmission Installers
- Building Construction Technology/Technician
- Plumbing Technology/Plumber
- Building/Property Maintenance
- Painting/Painter and Wall Coverer
- Building/Construction Finishing, Management, and Inspection
- Lineworker
- Pipefitting/Pipefitter and Sprinkler Fitter
- Well Drilling/Driller
- Metal Building Assembly/Assembler
- Concrete Finishing/Concrete Finisher
- Carpentry/Carpenter
- Roofer
- Drywall Installation/Drywaller
- Carpet, Floor, and Tile Worker
- Blasting/Blaster