Copper’s been in the news a lot recently, but not because of its utility as an electrical conductor, which will be the focus of this article. Rather, it’s been in the news because of its meteoric price growth and the fact that there’s a global copper shortage, in part because it is heavily used in the defense and construction sectors, which are both also strained.
It seems that now’s as good a time as any to publish a short post on why aluminum wire is in many instances preferred to copper. Here are some of the main advantages.
Cost
No matter how you split it, aluminum as a raw material is considerably more affordable than copper. At this point in history, it’s downright cheap by comparison, and that makes aluminum wire by extension also much more affordable.
The use of aluminum wire in construction can help prevent costs from ballooning out of control, whereas copper would only inflate prices that are already terribly inflated.
Weight
Aluminum’s specific gravity is 2.7, whereas copper’s is about 8.9. That means that copper is literally three times heavier than aluminum, per unit volume.
This is a contributor to cost, as heavier wire is more expensive to ship, but it’s also harder to work with. Remember that wires are often raised overhead or drawn through conduit, and that’s a labor-intensive process that only gets harder with heavier wire.
Conductivity to Weight
Copper is often touted as better than aluminum wire because the conductivity of copper is higher than aluminum, which is technically true. But the people that say this are conveniently omitting the fact that aluminum’s conductivity to weight ratio is actually higher.
At the end of the day, copper’s conductivity may be better, but the same weight in aluminum actually offers better conductivity, and ultimately, that’s a more important qualifier.
Suitability in Open Air Installations
Aluminum is often used in open-air installations; high-tension overhead power transmission cables come to mind. While aluminum is not necessarily patently corrosion-resistant, it is in many ways better than copper, which must be heavily insulated to protect it against decay.
Flexibility
This must be issued with a caveat. On its face, aluminum is both softer and more malleable than copper. It is also more flexible. The problem is, copper is more durable.
What this means is that, while it is easier to bend aluminum, aluminum will not sustain the same number of stress cycles as copper. Specifically, it will break more readily than copper will.
Aluminum Wire vs. Copper Wire: Closing Thoughts
While aluminum wire is possessed of a wide range of advantages over copper wire, this article can’t be closed without saying a few positive words about copper.
While copper is heavier and more expensive, it is technically a better conductor, and it also is easier to solder and for the purpose of establishing electrical connectors. Copper also offers higher tensile strength and better overall durability than aluminum.
It is also the case that aluminum wire is hazardous if not installed correctly, as it is prone to overheating and can cause fires. That said, when installed properly, there is little to be concerned about.
Explore High-Quality Copper and Aluminum Wire
At the end of the day, it’s not that copper is better than aluminum wire, or the other way around. They’re both with their virtues and relative advantages, and should be used accordingly. There is a market for both.
Whether you are here for a supplier of aluminum wire or just need a new provider of high-quality copper electrical wire and cable, visit EWCS Wire first. They carry a wide range of electrical wire and cable including specialty options – visit their website or get in touch with them today for more information.
