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Copper combines several properties that have traditionally made it preferred for most electrical wiring. Copper is a good electrical conductor, provides a good contact surface, is ductile (is easily bent repeatedly without breaking) and it is not too expensive.

Aluminum is cheaper, lighter, softer, and therefore easier to bend than copper but is less desirable because it expands and contracts more than copper and produces loose connections. Many houses were built in the US in the 1970s with aluminum but most of them burned down. Aluminum is no longer allowed in houses in the US except for service entrance conductors. In commercial and industrial installations aluminum is still allowed but connections are required to be re-torqued once a year. That is quite a labor-intensive project. -- Sparkfighter

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