Electrical Wiring With Aluminum and Copper

Over the years, materials used in wire have constantly evolved. Copper has been the primary choice for electrical wiring because of its conductivity and ductility. The use of such wires can be observed in variety of electronic as well as mechanical devices. Though copper wires are much more valuable that aluminum ones, aluminum wires are extremely cost effective.

Aluminum conductors are extremely popular in power distributors and large feeder circuits. Being cost effective, aluminum serves as a perfect alternative of wiring used for carrying heavy current loads. However, in case of aluminum the wire gauge required to carry the same level of current is more when compared to copper wire.

Current Carrying Capacity

The electrical property of a material is usually dependent on its alloy. To analyze the current carrying capacity, two design criteria must be kept into consideration.

• Temperature rise beyond the maximum allowable ambient temperature
• Current density in ampere per square inch

Temperature rise is the most effective method to determine the current carrying capacity of a conductor within electrical equipment. The heat usually generated in a bus bar is transferred by convection, radiation or a combination of both. Regardless of which conductor is used, the proper conductor size must be applied to stay within the allowable ambient temperature limits.

Copper As A Conductor In Electrical Wiring

As mentioned before, copper cables are generally used for electrical wiring due to their high conductivity. Copper enables the electricity to flow smoothly without the wire heating up excessively.

However, the common drawback of copper is that it usually requires insulation through materials like rubber, etc. Also, copper costs more when compared to aluminum and that is the main reason why it is not that commonly used in residential wiring.

Aluminum As A Conductor In Electrical Wiring

Aluminum wires are preferred for the sole reason that they were cheaper than copper. Being a good conductor of electric current, aluminum is used in residential projects for the purpose of carrying substantial circuit load. Due to its corrosion resistant property, aluminum ensures the longer working life of many electronic devices. However, aluminum comes with many disadvantages when compared to copper wire due to its higher resistivity.

When it comes to making a choice between copper and aluminum wire, it is always better to seek an advice from a licensed electrician. With sufficient experience in following electrical codes, a trained electrician may be able to advise you the better on making the best choice which kind of wiring to use.

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