What is one of the primary drawbacks of using synthetic polymers for insulation?

The primary drawback of using synthetic polymers for insulation is that they may have lower dielectric strength compared to some traditional materials. Dielectric strength is a critical property for insulation, as it determines how well a material can resist electrical breakdown under voltage. While synthetic polymers have improved significantly, they still can fall short compared to materials like ceramics or glass, which can handle higher voltages without failing. This limitation can be especially important in applications where high voltages are present, making it crucial for engineers and designers to carefully consider insulation material choices to ensure safety and performance.

The other aspects, such as weight, maintenance requirements, and industry usage, do not typically overshadow the dielectric performance issue when discussing insulation characteristics. Therefore, the focus on dielectric strength highlight why it's a significant consideration in the context of synthetic polymer insulators.