A model describing the transient thermal behavior of an insulated electric
wire is presented. The transient temperatures in both conductor and insulat
or result from the energy generated in the conductor by means of an alterna
ting electric current that fluctuates in any specified manner.
The mathematical model is solved analytically using Green's function method
. The effect of many parameters on the transient thermal behavior of the in
sulated wire is described
The cooling rate from the wire is evaluated at different values of the insu
lation thickness, and then the effect of different parameters on the critic
al thickness of insulation is investigated.