Volume resistivity, also called specific insulation resistance, is the electrical resistance between opposite faces of a one-centimeter cube of insulating material, commonly expressed in ohms per centimeter.
Volume resistivity, also called specific insulation resistance, is a measure of how strongly an insulating material resists the flow of electric current through its bulk. It is defined as the electrical resistance between opposite faces of a one-centimeter cube of the material, commonly expressed in ohms per centimeter (or ohm-centimeters). Because it is based on a standard cube, volume resistivity is a property of the material itself, independent of the size or shape of a particular sample.
A high volume resistivity means the material is a good insulator, strongly resisting current through its bulk, which is exactly what is wanted from cable insulation. Comparing the volume resistivity of materials helps in evaluating their effectiveness as insulators.
In commercial and industrial cable, volume resistivity characterizes the insulating quality of the materials used. Recognizing the measure helps in understanding how insulation materials are compared and specified.
Because a high volume resistivity means the material strongly resists current through its bulk, which is exactly what is wanted from cable insulation, comparing the volume resistivity of materials helps in evaluating their effectiveness as insulators in commercial and industrial cable.
At Windy City Wire, an understanding of insulation properties, including volume resistivity, supports the selection of cable with effective insulation. Recognizing how volume resistivity measures a material's resistance to current helps illustrate the basis for the insulating performance of quality cable.
Also called specific insulation resistance