Practical takeaway
Conductors let charge move easily; insulators resist that movement. Choosing the right material is basic to wiring, connectors, coax and circuit boards.
Electricity & Electronics
Conductors & Insulators
Compare materials that let charge move easily with materials that strongly resist that motion.
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Technician exam focus
Know common conductors and insulators and the practical reason each is used.
Material matters
Conductors
Materials such as copper provide many mobile charge carriers, so current can flow relatively easily.
Insulators
Materials such as glass, rubber and many plastics strongly resist charge movement.
Semiconductors live in between.
Their conductivity can be controlled, which is why they are useful in electronic devices.
STEMulation
Test a material
This is a relative teaching scale, not a laboratory measurement.