Question

Which of the following substances are used to make electric switches and switchboards?
A) Conductors
B) Insulators
C) Semiconductors
D) None of these

Answer 1

Hint: An electric switchboard is an insulator box that helps to direct power from one or more sources of supply to several smaller regions of usage. It is wired with an assemblage of conducting wires and distributes power from a higher supply to the rest of conducting panels.

Complete step by step explanation:
An electric switchboard is an electrical device that distributes electricity from one electrical source to another electrical source. It is a major component used in the power distribution process. It is made up of several electric panels. Electric switchboards are made of insulators as a safety measure to prevent electric shock as insulators are poor conductors of electricity so it disconnects the electric transfer from the electric panels to the direct contact of a person hence protecting from electric shock.
Now let's understand each option properly:
Conductors: A conductor is a material which allows easy flow of charge. Metals are the common example of conductors and metals like copper and aluminium are also one of the best conductors.

Insulators: An insulator is a material that does not conduct electrical current.An Insulator does not have a free atom and so they don't conduct current but an insulator can be statically charged. Some common examples of insulators are plastic, wood,glass,rubber etc.

Semiconductors: A semiconductors are materials that have conductivity in between conductors and insulators . These materials are not usually conductive in normal state but with little activation like heating and doping they become charged and are capable of transferring current due to motion of charge. Some common examples of semiconductor are silicon,germanium ,arsenide etc.

Therefore the correct option for the above question is option (B) as the switchboard has to be wrapped with an insulator body to prevent fatality due to shock.

Note: Switchboards are made of insulators like bakelite , PVC( Polyvinyl chloride),polycarbonate sheets etc . The material adopted for making switchboards depends on the environment the switchboard is exposed to ; a household switchboard is usually made of polycarbonate sheets; DaRa switchboards are used in marine environments and are made of sealium marine grade aluminium to prevent wear & Tear etc.