Two reference websites come highly recommended to help you identify your insulators: info is home to an extensive database profiling a variety of insulators. They also have FAQs & suggested reference books for curious collectors to buy. The National Insulator Association also has a very extensive gallery of glass insulators from around the world.
Full Answer
What are the rarest insulators?
Like bottles, aqua is the most common color, but some of the rarest insulators are aqua. A few insulators were factory-coated with carnival glass or a flashed amber. The most sought after colors are cobalt blue, yellow, 7-Up green, and purple.
How do you identify an insulator?
The property that distinguishes an insulator is its resistivity; insulators have higher resistivity than semiconductors or conductors. The most common examples are non-metals.
Are old glass insulators worth any money?
On average, these glass insulators tend to sell for around $20, though there are special instances where insulators can sell for significantly more than that. Generally, the insulators that sell for more are rare, either because of their manufacturer or their color.
What are insulators worth?
Insulator price guides generally give a range of values (e.g. $20-30). The high end value is usually Mint (no damage), and the low end value would be Near Mint (some damage). More extensive damage would be valued even lower.
How do you find out if an object is a conductor or insulator?
Try it this way: Touch the open ends of the two wires to each other to form a circuit and test the bulb. Touch the two open ends of the wire to each material you are testing, one at a time. If the bulb lights up, it is a good conductor. If it doesn't, it is a good insulator.
Which instrument do you use to identify a conductor or insulator?
How can you identify conductors and insulators using an electroscope? How can you identify conductors and insulators using an electroscope?
How much is a Hemingray 42 insulator worth?
Because the Hemingray-42 insulator is one of the most common, they tend to be an affordable collectible. Most sell for under $10.
Do they still make glass insulators?
During the 1960s, 1970s and 1980s many of these lines were dismantled as technology advanced. Today, a few lines using glass insulators are still in service, but are only a tiny percentage compared to the heyday of open wire communication.
Why are glass insulators different colors?
To make insulators they used a lot of cullet, or recycled glass, and every batch of glass has some form of cullet in it because it was a lot more workable. So depending on the cullet that was used, you'd get different colors. Sometimes you'd even get swirls if they didn't mix it well.
Why do people collect glass insulators?
Some people collect them just to have some pretty colored glass sparkling in their windows or out in the garden; while other people collect specific kinds of insulators. Insulator prices can range from free to the tens of thousands of dollars for extremely rare specimens.
What can I do with vintage insulators?
Glass insulators are perfect for upcycling projects. They are an excellent material for lights, candle holders, planters, or other decorations with their industrial style.
What can you do with old insulators?
Old glass insulators are a popular item for numerous craft projects, upcycling projects, decoration projects and the fact that they are very cheap and relatively easy to find makes them a great material for DIY projects – lamps, succulent planters, garden lamps, table decorations, etc.
What makes something an insulator?
Insulators are materials whose atoms have tightly bound electrons. These electrons are not free to roam around and be shared by neighboring atoms. Some common insulator materials are glass, plastic, rubber, air, and wood.
What is an insulator in simple words?
a : a material that is a poor conductor (as of electricity or heat) — compare semiconductor. b : a device made of an electrical insulating material and used for separating or supporting conductors.
What is an example of an insulator?
Examples of insulators include plastics, Styrofoam, paper, rubber, glass and dry air.
What are insulators short answer?
Materials that do not allow electricity to pass through them are called insulators. Insulators oppose electric current and so they are used as a protection from the dangerous effects of electricity. Examples of insulators are glass, air, wood, plastic and rubber.
How much is an old glass insulator worth?
Old glass insulators can range in value from $2 up to over $400. Like other antiques, glass insulators are evaluated on several criteria: Age. Rarity. Condition. Demand. Manufacturer. A good way to determine value is to spend a few days checking eBay.
What is an antique glass insulator?
Antique glass insulators are a low cost but very popular collectible. They are easy to find, come in a variety of colors, and make a colorful display.
What are the colors of insulators?
Each company had a slightly different design or color. The most common colors of insulators were clear and aqua. There were other colors however and these can be quite rare and valuable. Some of the colors were: Amber. Cobalt blue. Green. Two tone. Yellow green.
Why were glass insulators used?
They were the glass insulators that were used to protect homes against lightening strikes. Glass insulators for wiring began to be manufactured in the mid 1800s in response to the technology of the time. Samuel Morse had created the first working telegraph in 1844 and by 1850 telegraph lines were being strung from one coast of America to the other.
What are old insulators made of?
Old Insulators Made from a Variety of Glass Sources. Since the manufacturing companies did not solely make insulators they often used leftover glass from other projects to press a few insulators. Because of this you may see occasionally see an insulator in opalescent glass, Vaseline glass, or other unusual color (or even mixture of colors).
Why were glass insulators used for telephone wires?
The first insulators of this type were small because they only needed space for one wire. As time went on the insulators became larger and reflected the growth of the telephone and electricity.
When did glass insulators become available?
From 1920 to 1950 there was a peak in the manufacture of glass insulators. Most of the insulators available today come from this era. In the 1950s electrical companies transitioned to porcelain insulators. This transition was complete by the 1970s.
What color are glass insulators?
Thanks to the glass insulator’s multi shades, they can be used in many delicate decorating projects. The color scheme range from transparent all the way to red-black. Not only do the insulators offer a range of colors, but they also have multiple shapes. Let’s jump straight into what they can be transformed into:
How to drill straight into glass insulator?
To drill straight at 90 degrees into the glass insulator, I prefer a wooden jig. This not only has an accurate angle but also supports the drill bit in place. To make one, cut a rectangular piece of wood with smooth surfaces. Using a saw make a 90 degree grove at wood end as shown in picture below.
What drill bit goes through glass?
Two types of drill bits goes through glass 1) Diamond drill bits 2) Tungsten Carbide drill bits. Diamond drill bits are more superior to carbide-tipped bits.
How to make putty?
For this purpose, take a cup of flour and add 1/3rd cup of water into it. Mix it with the help of a spoon and add a tablespoon of vegetable oil. Stir it generously till there are no remains of dry flour. Add coloring agent if needed, but for this purpose, I don’t recommend it. The putty should not be too slimy because then it will stick to the surface.
Can you drill sea glass?
You can also drill it with a Dremel which is quite difficult, but still doable. Check this article on how to drill into sea glass to learn about the Dremel method.
Can you change the face of a glass insulator?
Using the right tools and expertise, you can change the face of a glass insulator. I have experimented with some stuff recently and wanted to share my personal experience with you so that you can drill right into glass insulators like a pro but before jumping into it, let me tell you pretty decent ideas about where to use them in your DIY project.
Are glass insulators worth anything?
Yes! they are considered antiques nowadays and are pretty popular among collectors and DIY enthusiasts. They can range from “4 USD” all the way to “500 USD” depending upon the color, shape, and quality.
What are glass insulators made of?
They insulated and protected the wooden poles from the electricity coursing through the wires. They are made from glass, porcelain, or composite polymer materials (non-conductive materials). That was the insulator’s primary purpose. Hemingray, Brookfield, and Whitall Tatum are some of the companies that made them. Glass insulators are perfect for upcycling projects. They are an excellent material for lights, candle holders, planters, or other decorations with their industrial style. Their gorgeous colors and decorative edging and the manufacturer’s markings were works of art when aesthetics were necessary along with functionality. Here are some of the 30 best ideas we’ve found and that are made from old glass insulators.
What companies make glass insulators?
Hemingray, Brookfield, and Whitall Tatum are some of the companies that made them. Glass insulators are perfect for upcycling projects. They are an excellent material for lights, candle holders, planters, or other decorations with their industrial style.
Can glass insulators be used as book holders?
Use glass insulators as bookends! <3 You could even use a pair of glass insulators as book holders, simple!
How big is a glass insulator?
Glass insulators were designed in a few basic forms depending on their specific electrical application. “Pony” insulators, often no more than 3 1/2 inches in height, were used for lower voltage lines, while “Power” insulators for high-voltage purposes were much larger, sometimes weighing more than 30 pounds.
What are insulators made of?
Commonly made from glass or porcelain in a dazzling array of shapes and colors, including amber, cobalt blue, olive green (one shade is known among insulator collectors as “Seven-Up”), and royal purple, antique insulators are prized for their rarity and physical beauty.
Why is porcelain used as an insulator?
Use of porcelain and ceramic insulators spread during the late 19th century alongside higher-voltage electrical wires, like those required for home power lines, because the protective properties of porcelain proved superior to glass.
What colors are porcelain insulators?
Porcelain insulators were produced in a variety of colors to imitate their glass counterparts, ranging from deep blues and chocolate browns to bright yellows and greens. In addition, the shapes of these insulators were often dictated by the climate they would have to endure.
Why were insulators invented?
Insulators were originally designed to keep the wires linking telegraphs and telephones insulated from the wooden poles that held them aloft. In conjunction with the expansion of rural electrification in the early 20th century, there was a major... Insulators were originally designed to keep the wires linking telegraphs ...
What is a fog bowl insulator?
“Fog bowl” insulators, which resembled the stones used in curling, were designed to do the same thing.
What is an insulator?
An electrical insulator is a material whose internal electric charges do not flow freely, and therefore make it nearly impossible to conduct an electric current under the influence of an electric field. This contrasts with other materials, semiconductors and conductors, which conduct electric current more easily.
Which property distinguishes an insulator from a conductor?
The property that distinguishes an insulator is its resistivity ; insulators have higher resistivity than semiconductors or conductors.
What is the purpose of insulators?
Their sole purpose was to insulate the wire from the wood , reason for which materials such as glass, porcelain or composite polymer materials had been chosen. An electrical insulator is a material whose internal electric charges do not flow freely, and therefore make it nearly impossible to conduct an electric current 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.
