Even if you’re not into electrical wiring or construction, you’re probably familiar with the fact that a great deal of electrical wire is made from copper. What you might not know is that a lot of it is made from aluminum, too.
But if copper works, why use aluminum at all? Well, it’s not quite that simple. This short post will break down some of the details.
Where Copper Wins
Copper wiring is often used in electrical infrastructure for a variety of reasons. For one, it offers better electrical conductivity than aluminum, which means it is better at carrying current without overheating.
But copper has other virtues, too. For one, it has a significantly higher tensile strength, which means it is less likely to fatigue or snap when pulled or stressed, making it better for drawing through conduit.
Another thing about copper is that it has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than aluminum, so when it gets hot, it doesn’t swell as much.
In addition to its low coefficient of thermal expansion, copper also has a high thermal resistance, which helps overheating. Copper that does get too hot also cools off very quickly, too.
But this is, unfortunately, where the virtues of copper end, and where aluminum wire picks up the torch.
Where Aluminum Wire Takes the Lead
It might sound like copper has the market cornered for electrical wire, but it doesn’t. Here are some of the big reasons aluminum is often chosen.
For one, while aluminum doesn’t offer quite the same level of electrical conductivity as copper, it’s still very good, and better than many metals. Actually, even though it doesn’t offer the same overall conductivity, it offers a better conductivity-to-weight ratio.
Aluminum wire, like copper, is very flexible, and very malleable, which makes it easier to draw and pull to shape – it just has a lower tensile strength, which does give rit a higher risk of breaking when stressed.
Aluminum is also naturally more resistant to corrosion than copper, which can in some instances make it preferable.
Another big selling point of aluminum wire has to do with weight. Aluminum is far, far lighter than copper, which makes it easier to transport, and which changes the paradigm when cables must be suspended on raceways, in conduit, or on cable trays.
But now we get to the real reason that aluminum wire is often used in lieu of copper: cost. Aluminum is substantially more affordable than copper, and in some cases, it can be half the price if not more affordable. This alone makes it an attractive alternative if it can be safely used for the application in question.
When properly installed and maintained, aluminum wire can not only be a suitable, but a superior, alternative to copper wiring.
Here for Aluminum Wire? Here’s Where to Get It
Here not because you want to learn about the relative virtues of copper and aluminum wiring, but because you need a new supplier?
If that is the case, visit EWCS Wire. Aptly named the Electrical Wire and Cable Specialists (hence the name) they carry a wide range of aluminum wire, including quadruplex and triplex wire.
In addition, they carry a wide range of other specialty wire and cable, including marine battery wire, flexible welding cable, solar panel cable, DLO cable, submersible pump cable, and armored cable, in addition to more mundane building wire.
For more information on the types of wire and cable they offer, visit their website or get in touch with them directly at [email protected] or at 800-262-1598.
