insulatorn.
/ˈɪnsjʊleɪtə/ One who or that which insulates; e.g. a body or substance that entirely or to a great degree prevents the passage of electricity or heat between contiguous bodies; a non-conductor; spec. a contrivance, usually made of glass or porcelain, for supporting or carrying telegraph or telephone wires, or power lines, without carrying off the current. Also used with reference to sound.In quot. 1895: one of a set of glass ‘stands’ to be placed under the legs of a piano.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > energy or power of doing work > [noun] > emission of energy > that which
screena1764
insulator1801
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > heat > transmission of heat > [noun] > failure to conduct > substance causing
non-conductor1751
insulator1801
insulant1959
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > transmission of electricity, conduction > non-conduction, insulation > [noun] > substance or contrivance
non-conductor1751
insulator1801
dielectric1837
bushing1839
insulation1870
sector1894
insulant1934
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electricity > electrical power, electricity > distribution system > [noun] > insulator
insulator1845
the world > matter > physics > science of sound > sound-waves > [noun] > insulation against > that which provides
insulation1927
insulator1927
insulant1971
1801 Encycl. Brit. Suppl. I. 605/1 Mr. Volta..and others..have attempted to shew how these substances are preferable..to more perfect insulators.
1814 G. J. Singer Elem. Electr. iii. iii. 278 Insulation may..be partially preserved by coating all the glass insulators with sealing wax.
1845 J. O. N. Rutter Hum. Electr. iii. 31 Glass is not the most perfect insulator (non-conductor); but in practice it is the most useful.
1847 Brett & Little Compendium Improvements Electr. Telegraphs 22 The insulators are made of earthenware, and secured direct to the poles.
1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright Telegraphy 185 Seeing, however, that the insulators have little more than the weight of the wire to withstand, except at the terminal posts, no trouble is experienced in suiting the form of insulator to this.
1885 H. W. Watson & S. H. Burbury Math. Theory Electr. & Magn. I. 183 Non-conducting spaces may be occupied by actual substances, called non-conductors, insulators, or dielectrics..such as dry air and other gases, wood, &c.
1895 Army & Navy Co-op. Soc. Price List 15 Sept. 1337 Piano Insulator. Cut Glass.
1927 A. H. Davis & G. W. C. Kaye Acoustics of Buildings ix. 173 The usual principle is to have double walls..and to fill the space..with sound absorbents or insulators.
1950 Knudsen & Harris Acoustical Designing in Archit. xi. 246 If the porous blocks are not plastered, they may be very poor insulators: sound ‘leaks’ through the interstices.
1957 Encycl. Brit. XIV. 115 i/1 On steel tower transmission lines the lightning voltage which can exist on the conductors..depends on the lightning flashover value of the supporting insulators.
Compounds
attributive and in other combinations.
ΚΠ
1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright Telegraphy 159 Insulator breaking is the main evil which has been met with on roads.
1876 W. H. Preece & J. Sivewright Telegraphy 210 A small aperture..is previously cut in the middle; through this the insulator bolt and nut are placed.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1900; most recently modified version published online June 2019).
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n.1801