Which component would you expect to fail under excessive voltage conditions?

In the context of excessive voltage conditions, an insulator is expected to fail because its primary function is to prevent the flow of electricity and maintain electrical separation between conductive elements. When the voltage exceeds the insulator's rated capacity, it can lead to dielectric breakdown. This breakdown occurs when the insulation material loses its ability to resist electrical current, resulting in flashover or arcing.

Insulators are designed to withstand high voltage, but if those voltage levels are significantly exceeded, the material can degrade or physically break down, leading to failure. This can compromise the safety and performance of the entire electrical system.

Transformers, while they can also be affected by excessive voltage, are typically designed with protective measures to handle brief surges without immediate failure. Arresters serve to protect equipment from voltage spikes by diverting excess voltage away, and guy wires support structures but do not directly interact with electrical loads or voltage levels in the same way insulators do.