Difference in meaning in "insulation" vs. "isolation"?



What is the difference between the two? I often saw them used interchangeably until a while ago


If you must use two metals farther apart than 200mV, you need to take steps to protect them, either by insulation or isolation (so they're not in contact) or by using anodes.


If someone knows to explain on a practical example?



Answer



The example sentence uses sense 3 of insulation, "...separating a body from others by nonconductors, so as to prevent the transfer of electricity..." and sense 1 of isolation, "state of being isolated, detached, or separated".


Electrical isolation amounts to using an air gap (or vacuum) as an insulating (nonconducting) medium; like most electrical insulators, air has a breakdown voltage, typically about 1000V/mm, while the breakdown voltage in partial vacuum may be substantially less.


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