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Question

Which of the following materials generally possesses the lowest dielectric strength?

The correct answer is

Dry Air

Lowest Dielectric Strength Material Identification

Dielectric strength measures the maximum electric field an insulating material can withstand without undergoing electrical breakdown. A higher dielectric strength indicates better insulating capability. The question asks to identify the material with the lowest dielectric strength among Mica, Transformer Oil, PVC, and Dry Air.

Comparing Dielectric Strengths of Insulators

Below is a comparison of the typical dielectric strengths for the materials listed:

Material Typical Dielectric Strength (kV/mm)
Mica 50 - 200
Transformer Oil 12 - 25
PVC (Polyvinyl Chloride) 15 - 40
Dry Air 0.5 - 3 (at STP*)

*STP: Standard Temperature and Pressure. Dielectric strength of air is highly dependent on conditions like pressure and humidity.

Analysis of Materials

  • Mica: Exhibits very high dielectric strength, making it suitable for high-voltage applications.
  • Transformer Oil: Possesses good dielectric strength and is widely used in transformers for insulation and cooling.
  • PVC: Offers moderate to good dielectric strength, commonly used as wire insulation.
  • Dry Air: Has the lowest dielectric strength among the options. While it acts as an insulator under normal conditions, its breakdown threshold is significantly lower than solids and oils.

Conclusion on Lowest Dielectric Strength

Based on the comparison, Dry Air generally possesses the lowest dielectric strength compared to Mica, Transformer Oil, and PVC.

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Important Questions from Classification of Materials

  1. Dielectric strength is expressed in _______ per unit thickness of the insulating material.

  2. The modulus of elasticity of E-glass is 72 GPa and that of epoxy resin is 3 GPa. The modulus of elasticity (to the nearest unit magnitude) for a composite material consisting of 60% by volume of continuous E-glass fibre and 40 epoxy resin for the matrix, when stressed under isostress conditions, is

  3. Which of the following is the hardest constituent of steel ?

  4. Which of the following is/are a ferromagnetic material ?

  5. Chilled cast iron is produced__________

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