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Electrical & Electronics Engineering vocabulary · Wiring, Protection and Safety

Insulation

Meaning in electrical & electronics engineering, with examples

/ˌɪnsəˈleɪʃən/nounCore term

In electrical & electronics engineering, insulation means: Non-conducting material, such as PVC or rubber, that covers conductors and keeps current where it should be. Good insulation protects people from shock and prevents short circuits.

In Turkish: yalıtım, izolasyon

How it is used

Used in installation, testing and maintenance. Insulation can be damaged, worn or melted, or it can break down. The insulation resistance test, often done with a megohmmeter ('megger'), checks that insulation is still in good condition.

Example sentences

  1. The insulation on this cable is cracked, so it has to be replaced.

  2. We measured the motor's insulation resistance before putting it back into service.

Common collocations

  • insulation resistance
  • damaged insulation
  • insulation test
  • insulation class
  • cable insulation
  • wireA single conductor, usually copper, often covered with insulation. A cable is several insulated wires grouped together inside an outer sheath.
  • electric shockThe effect of electric current passing through the body when a person touches a live part. It can cause burns, muscle spasms or heart rhythm problems, and it can be fatal.
  • resistanceHow strongly a material or component opposes the flow of electric current. It is measured in ohms (Ω); for the same voltage, higher resistance means less current.
  • short circuitAn unwanted low-resistance connection between two points that should be kept apart, such as live and neutral. It causes a very large current that can damage equipment or start a fire.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Wiring, Protection and Safety

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