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What is constantan wire used for?

Updated: 8/10/2023
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12y ago

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In essence it is used in applications where it is important that the resistance of a length of contantan wire doesn't change with temperature. As a student the only time I've ever needed this feature is in experiments involving measuring resistance.

A use for constantan wire is in DC Current Shunts. This is a precision low value resistance placed in series with the load in a direct current circuit that is carrying high current. By measuring voltage drop across the shunt, we can measure the current. In this application it is important that the resistance of the shunt does not vary with temperature (the shunt will heat up under full load) otherwise the accuracy of the current reading is compromised. Typically the resistance of the shunt is set to give 60 millivolt voltage drop across it at full current.

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Constantan is a metal alloy made of 45 percent Nickel and 55 percent Copper.

Constantan wire is used chiefly in electrical instruments and and other equipment which can take advantage of its unusual physical property which is that, even over wide variations in operating temperature, its electrical resistance stays at an almost constant value.

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Q: What is constantan wire used for?
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Related questions

What is a constant wire?

Constantan wire is a resistance-wire made of 42% nickel, 1.25% manganese, 0.25% iron and the rest is copper. It is mainly used in making wire-wound rheostats and potentiometers in electrical circuits.


Where is constantan used?

In many typical installations, it is used in strain gauges.


What is the resistivity of the constantan?

Constantan is a metal alloy made of 45 percent Nickel and 55 percent Copper, used chiefly in electrical instruments because of its constant resistance under variations of temperature.


Atomic explanation as to why a piece of constantan wire with a large diameter has a smaller resistance than a piece of constantan wire with a small diameter?

The larger the wire the more atoms there are to transfer the electrons through the wire. Induced electrons from a power source bump other electrons out of the orbit of the wire atoms thus causing electrons to flow and the induced electrons fall into the orbit of the wire atom until the next loose electron knocks that one out of orbit to the next atom and the next one etc.. It's like a one way game of bumper cars until the electrons get to the end of the wire and into the next conducting substance. This is also the difference between an insulator and a conductor that is how freely an atom gives up its electron when its bumped.


Why is constantan better than copper?

Better for what? Usually one material is better for some things, other materials for other things. The special feature of constantan is its low temperature coefficient for electrical resistance.


Why you use eureka wire instead of copper wire?

Eureka wire, which is a nickel copper alloy, has a higher resistance than copper wire and is used as a heating element for specialized purposes. These hot cutting wires have high strength at elevated temperatures and are used for cutting foam polystyrene (EPS) and or heat sealing woven polypropylene bags. ------- This alloy also has another important feature. Its resistance to electricity remains the same over a wide range of temperatures. For more information please see the wikipedia article about constantan.


Why are alloys constantan and Manganin used to make standard resistors?

They are used to make standard resistors because 1)they have high value of resistivity.2)temperature cofficient of resistance is less.3)they are least affected by temperature.


What is an alloy of copper and nickel used in electrical resistance called?

cupro-nickel is the term referring to copper / nickel alloys. The particular alloy used in electrical resistors has 45% nickel, and is called constantan. See related link.


What is a copper-constantan thermocouple?

A thermocouple is a temperature sensor made from two different types of metal. Different metal types give different sensing properties and ranges. Several standard pairs of metals are defined in industry and designated by a letter. A copper-constantan thermocouple is "Type T."


Can a ground wire be used as a neutral wire?

No


What is the metal used in wire?

In most cases, copper is the metal used in wire.


What is an alloy of copper and nickel used in electrical resistance wire?

Alloy wires of copper and nickel come in many varieties and are sometimes called cupro-nickels.They can be found containing:Copper with 10% nickelCopper with 30% nickelCopper with 25% nickel with 0.05-0.4% manganeseCopper with 45% nickel (also known as constantan)Alloy wire containing both copper and nickel retain their strength at elevated temperatures compared to copper alloys without nickel. Also, they are beneficial in outstanding resistance to corrosion, particularly from sea water.