Electrical Materials Basic Theory: Conducting Materials: Conducting materials which must be good conductors of electricity, characterized by a large

electrical conductivity and small electrical resistance serve to ca rry current in electrical equipment. Conducting materials are further classified into two groups namely materials of high conductivity (or low resistivity) and materials of high resistivity. High Conductivity Materials: These materials usually will have low resistivity and therefore employed in maki ng windings of electrical machines (windings of transformers, motors etc), condu ctors used for transmission and distribution of electrical power, materials requ ired to make equipment or apparatus. Some of the important properties or charact eristics possessed by high conductivity materials are: Least resistivity or good conductivity Very low temperature coefficient of resistance Good mechanical strength (high tensile strength and degree of flexibility) Good Weldabiltiy and Solderability helps in providing better reliabiltiy and low electrical resistance of the joints Reliability and drawability Good resistance against corrosion Some of the commercially acceptable good conductivity materials are copper and a luminum. Steel with proper combination of copper and aluminum is also used as a conducting material. Silver has highest conductivity compared to copper and alum inum but because of the economical factor it is not feasible High Resistivity materials: These materials have the characteristics such as high resistivity, low temperatu re coefficient of resistance, good ductility, good mechanical strength, very hig h melting point and no tendency for oxidation. These materials are alloys of dif ferent metals. High resistivity materials are employed in precision electrical m easuring instruments, making standard resistance, rheostats, high temperature el ements for electrical furnace and other heating applications. Maganin. Constanta n, Nichrome, Tungsten, Carbon etc are some of the examples of high resistivity m aterials. Semi-Conductor Materials: In terms of conductivity semi-conductors lies some where between good conductors and insulators. Because of the excellent properties of semi conductors they hav e wide applications in electrical and electronic applications. The resistivity of the semi conductor material depends on: The temperature coefficient of semi conductors is negative. Semiconductors are basically non linear resistance materials. They do not follow Ohm's law (Current is proportional to applied voltage) The resistivity of semiconductors vary drastically even a minute impurity is add ed. Introduction of some impurities change the conductivity properties of semico nductor materials. Germanium and silicon are the two best semiconductors available. Insulating Materials:

Insulating materials are very poor conductors. Insulating materials are placed a round the conducting materials to prevent leaking of current between two differe nt potentials. The characteristic property of insulating materials is poor cond uctivity. Insulators can be either solid like mica, glass etc, liquids like tran sformer oil, silicon liquids and vegetable oils and gases like SF6, air and nitr ogen. Some of the ideal properties of insulating materials (dielectrics) are: High dielectric strength, chemical inertness, good mechanical strength, very hig h resistivity, good fire proofing and water proofing properties, and high resist ance to heat. Some of the insulating materials are: Wood, paper, mica, varnished or impregnated textiles, ceramics, asbestos, glass, enamels and varnishes etc.