What is the primary purpose of electrical insulators?

The primary purpose of electrical insulators is to maintain safety by preventing unwanted electrical flow. Insulators are materials designed to resist the flow of electric current and are critical in ensuring that electricity flows only through designated paths, such as wires and circuits. By providing a barrier against the flow of electricity, insulators help protect people, equipment, and facilities from electrical hazards such as shocks and short circuits. They are commonly used in a variety of applications, including power lines, transformers, and electrical devices, to ensure that electricity is contained within its intended routes and to prevent accidental contact.

The other options depict functions that do not accurately capture the primary role of insulators. Allowing free flow of current refers to conductors, while indicators of power status and temperature control pertain to different electrical components that serve specific purposes unrelated to the fundamental operation of insulating material.