Since 1948, ESPE Manufacturing Co. has been a trusted supplier of electrical insulators, including washers, gaskets, and fabricated plastic parts for your systems. We specialize in the fabrication and conversion of non-metallic materials. In addition, we serve a diverse range of markets and industries that require insulation in their systems.
From stamping washers to laser cutting intricate insulators and parts, ESPE has it all.
Benefits of Electrical Insulation in Various Applications
The value of electrical insulators in various industries begins with ensuring safety and preventing electric shocks, reducing workplace hazards that could lead to fatal injuries. In addition, a properly designed and installed electrical insulation system offers immediate and long-term benefits.
Here are some of its advantages in various insulation applications:
Increases Safety
When electrical wires and currents are left unattended, they can cause serious electrocution hazards. As a result, many industries use non-conductive materials to wrap wiring and prevent electrical currents from coming into contact. Since the insulators are found in various manufacturing equipment, the safety of the workers is guaranteed.
Withstands Extreme Conditions
Whether they are placed outdoors or indoors, electrical cables may be subjected to extreme conditions. The capacity of an electrical insulation system to withstand harsh environments is one of its primary characteristics. It not only resists electricity, but it also safeguards cables from heat, humidity, corrosion, and weather.
Contains Electrical Flow
Non-metallic insulators play an important role in electrical system control because they prevent currents from flowing in the wrong direction or in areas where they are not required. This results in many industries insulating cables, circuit boards, and other components to keep the flow of electricity confined to their intended locations.
Industries That Utilize Electrical Insulations
Electrical insulators are utilized across various industries and market sectors. For example, they are used in circuit boards, electrical wire coatings, high-voltage appliances, cable coatings, and other applications.
ESPE Manufacturing Co. continuously provides products and services for insulation applications in a diverse range of markets. Our company serves the following industries:
Computers and Computer Peripherals
Electrical insulators are used in computers and computer peripherals to keep conductors in place while separated from one another and nearby structures. They act as a barrier between energized parts of an electric circuit, limiting current flow to wires or other highly conductive paths as intended.
Hard plastic washers are also used in various electronics industry applications. Plastic is an excellent material for shielding parts and wires from electrostatic discharge and heat.
Conventional and Uninterruptible Power Supplies
By significantly reducing heat on equipment, electrical insulators aid in preventing unnecessary power supply shutdowns that result in tremendously high repair and lost hours costs for technicians and managers. They also lessen the risks of hazardous injuries by allowing more control over the equipment.
Electrical and Power Distribution Systems
Electric power distribution and transmission lines are connected to utility poles and transmission towers using insulators. They bear the weight of the suspended wires while preventing current from flowing through the tower to the ground.
Telecommunications Equipment
Telecommunications equipment manufacturers produce industry hardware and infrastructure, such as modems, circuit-switching systems, routers, and base transceiver stations. From tiny capacitors to massive generators, insulators are found in every telecommunications equipment.
First, a supporting base for telecommunication equipment is provided, which includes a concrete floor and a supporting framework, preferably made of steel. The expanded metal is then covered with a layer of metal foil, insulation, or other sheet material to create a fluid-tight surface for the liquid concrete mixture to be poured.
Medical Equipment
Medical devices with accessible electric components should have two kinds of protection. One protection is to provide adequate dielectric strength insulation, sufficient creepage distance and air clearance, and protective earth connections. The other includes using reinforced insulation or increasing creepage distances and air clearances.
The medical industry also frequently employs long-lasting, non-metallic washers to seal and allocate loads for a wide range of equipment. Washers are flat discs with a hole in the center that distribute pressure for bolts, screws, and other connectors while padding, locking, and reducing vibration.
Automotive Components
The high temperatures created within combustion engines necessitate heat-resistant insulating materials. Similarly, high-quality insulation is required for modern electric vehicles because lithium-ion batteries generate much heat, particularly in the case of a battery problem or thermal runaway.
Furthermore, the automotive industry’s demand for non-metallic components is also increasing. This includes the requirements for motor part end laminations, the usage of high-precision custom gaskets, and high-performance washers. In particular, plastic washers are considered standard components, frequently found in engine compartments in which they are exposed to extreme temperatures, chemical fluids, and massive workloads.
Consumer Products
Different forms of insulation are used in consumer products to fulfill various purposes. For example, insulation can sometimes be used to allow a circuit to function correctly, while manufacturers can also use it to protect the user from dangerous voltages. If a high enough voltage is applied for an extended period, the insulation will fail or break down.
In addition, manufacturers choose plastic washers to produce consumer goods because of their ability to withstand electricity and high temperatures, chemical and corrosion resistance, and thermal insulation.
Lighting
Electrical insulators are required in the lighting industry — mainly when designing circuits, wires, switches, and plugs — to ensure they are shock-free and safe to touch.
Electrical Insulating Materials for Custom Manufacturing
All the abovementioned industries use insulators made from various materials with different physical, mechanical, and chemical properties. Because no two insulators are the same, it is critical to consider strength, flexibility, cost, and code compliance when selecting for a specific application.
Electrical insulating materials used in manufacturing must have the following characteristics:
- Excellent mechanical strength
- Good dielectric strength
- Superior resistivity to prevent electrical flow or leakage
- Impurity-free and non-absorbent
- Wide temperature range to avoid effects of sudden temperature changes
ESPE also provides customizations for the following products:
- Washers
- Gaskets
- End laminations
- Insulators
- Slot Wedges
- Slot Cell Insulators
- Bobbins-Coil forms
- Spacers
- Bushings
- Arc Chutes
- Shoulder Washers
- Brush Plate Holders
- Seals
- Top Stick
We also work with several electrical insulating materials for various applications. Here are some of them:
Formex
Formex is a well-known brand of electrically insulating material. It is flame-retardant insulation that is adaptable and cost-effective for various applications. At ESPE Manufacturing Co., we offer Formex sheets and rolls capable of protecting industrial and consumer electronic equipment against electric spikes.
Nomex
ESPE Manufacturing Co. is a leader in the designing, manufacturing, and distribution of a comprehensive line of Nomex products, including Nomex papers and Nomex pressboards. These products incorporate meta-aramid polymers into their unique, heat-resistant synthetic fibers. This will provide excellent electrical insulation and chemical, thermal, and radiation resistance while ensuring the product’s strength and durability.
Fishpaper & Vulcanized Fiber
ESPE Manufacturing Co. provides a broad range of vulcanized fiber and fishpaper products. Vulcanized fiber is an environmentally friendly and chemically pure cellulose material because it contains no adhesives or resins. Instead, it is a low-pressure laminate formed by the reaction between cotton or natural wood and various chemicals like acids, bases, and zinc chloride.
On the other hand, fishpaper is an insulation board or paper made from vulcanized cotton. Because the flexible paper can be easily cut and shaped to fit around electrical components, it is used to insulate electric motors, generators, and transformers.
Choose ESPE Manufacturing for Your Electrical Insulator Needs!
With so many materials available, it is critical to work with a company that caters to multiple markets simultaneously and understands each material’s unique properties and capabilities. ESPE Manufacturing Co. has more than 70 years of expertise in the manufacture of electrical insulators and can help you select the best material for your needs!
Contact us now to find out how we can help you with your electrical insulator requirements, or request a quote to get started with ESPE!