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In general, no.
- Aluminum wiring has a higher resistance and therefore higher losses than copper.
- Aluminum wire connections must be carefully cleaned to remove oxides and a special anti-corrosion paste applied because of aluminum's reactivity with the oxygen in air. These oxides can cause a connection to overheat and fail, possibly causing a fire.
- For the same ampacity, aluminum wire must be larger in diameter, making for larger cables.
There was a period where aluminum wire was used extensively when the price of copper was very high, but many of the aluminum installations were later retrofitted with copper for the above reasons.
There are a few cases where aluminum is the better choice. High voltage transmission lines are usually aluminum with a steel or composite core. The higher losses are offset by the much lighter weight of the aluminum, allowing towers to be lighter and spaced much further apart, lowering costs.
Wiki User
∙ 11y ago
Wiki User
∙ 15y agoCopper wiring is actually better than aluminum for most applications. Copper is by far the better conductor, which minimizes losses. The only place aluminum excels is where weight is a factor, such as overhead high-voltage transmission lines. One small negative for copper is that it is more expensive.
Wiki User
∙ 12y agoyes
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What common metals are used for electrical wiring?
Copper and aluminum (or copper clad with aluminum) are often used in wiring. New aluminum connection is now limited to use service-connections by some electrical codes and can no longer be installed for branch circuit wiring.
How much electrical wiring is copper?
Copper holds a 92-percent market share of electrical wiring in building (8 percent aluminum).
When you wire a stove top with aluminum wiring can you do it with copper house wiring?
If you are asking can you connect aluminum wiring to copper wiring, the answer is yes. With one provision. You must cover the connection with a special compound prior to putting on the wire nuts. This compound is available at Lowe's and Home Depot and Ace.
How do you deal with old household aluminum wiring?
Is there such a thing? old wiring is usually copper and the scrap value is quite high.
What is a common metal used in wires to conduct electricity?
copper or even more often brass Copper and aluminum are used in house wiring. Aluminum is typically used in the entrance cable and copper for everything past the breaker panel. Aluminum was used for house wiring a few decades ago but it was linked to numerous electrical fires because the connections would weaken over time.
What metal is used for car car wiring?
Copper is almost always used in car wiring.
House wiring materials with their functions?
this is not copper or aluminum
What common metals are used for electrical wiring?
Copper and aluminum (or copper clad with aluminum) are often used in wiring. New aluminum connection is now limited to use service-connections by some electrical codes and can no longer be installed for branch circuit wiring.
How much electrical wiring is copper?
Copper holds a 92-percent market share of electrical wiring in building (8 percent aluminum).
When you wire a stove top with aluminum wiring can you do it with copper house wiring?
If you are asking can you connect aluminum wiring to copper wiring, the answer is yes. With one provision. You must cover the connection with a special compound prior to putting on the wire nuts. This compound is available at Lowe's and Home Depot and Ace.
Which is the best conductor among these gold silver copper or aluminum?
Silver is, then copper, then gold, and then aluminum. Copper is used for wiring because it is cheaper than silver. Aluminum is not used very much anymore because it can be dangerous when installed improperly.
How do you deal with old household aluminum wiring?
Is there such a thing? old wiring is usually copper and the scrap value is quite high.
Why is copper better than aluminum for most electrical wiring?
because it is. its the way of life.
What is a common metal used in wires to conduct electricity?
copper or even more often brass Copper and aluminum are used in house wiring. Aluminum is typically used in the entrance cable and copper for everything past the breaker panel. Aluminum was used for house wiring a few decades ago but it was linked to numerous electrical fires because the connections would weaken over time.
The abbreviations COALR stands for?
Copper Aluminum Revised. These letters will appear on switches and electrical outlets where Aluminum wiring has been installed.
Are good conductors of heat also good conductors of electricity?
Aluminum and copper are excellent conductors of electricity. Chlorine is a good one when bonded to Hydrogen in acid form. The useful for electrical wiring are Copper, silver, and gold.
What element is used to make electrical wiring because it is less dense than copper?
Aluminum.
