Copper and aluminum are common in electrical wiring because they are cheap and durable. There is very little resistance to the flow of electricity through these two metals due to their conductivity. Although both copper and aluminum are good conductors, that's all they have in common. Therefore, each type of wire has its advantages and disadvantages.
copper pipe fittings
Copper wiring has been standard in commercial buildings for more than 50 years. Its tensile strength exceeds that of aluminum wire; therefore it is preferred. The tensile strength of copper is 40% higher than that of aluminum.
Copper wire is stronger and more durable than aluminum wire. Wiring is usually installed by pushing or pulling it through ports and feeders. Fragile wiring can cause damage to the installation. Copper wire is tensile resistant, meaning it can withstand a pulling force before breaking.
In other words, copper wire shrinks less when heated than aluminum wire. Therefore, it expands less than aluminum wire when heated. The wires in the circuit become hotter due to the flow of electricity. Aluminum wire expands more than copper wire when heated. Excessive expansion of wires can cause problems with splices and connections.
Aluminum insulators and conductors
Because aluminum's conductive properties are comparable to those of copper, cheaper metals are often used instead of more expensive metals. Although aluminum wire is cheaper than copper wire, it has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion and is not as durable as copper wire. In some applications, aluminum wire is still the first choice.
Aluminum wire is generally less expensive than copper wire. A common rule of thumb is that aluminum wire is half the price of copper wire. Using aluminum wire instead of copper wire can save construction companies a lot of money during the wiring process. Using aluminum for building wiring can save companies tens of thousands of dollars.
Important Differences Between Aluminum Wire and Copper Wire
Aluminum wire is lighter than copper wire and vice versa; their different compositions make them easy to identify. This means that each has characteristics typical of the metal from which it is made. The electrical conductivity of copper wire is higher than that of aluminum wire, but still not as good as copper wire (the conductivity is only 60%).
Copper wire is heavy and inconvenient, but aluminum wire is easier to transport. The expansion of aluminum with heat and the contraction of copper with cooling are the most significant differences between the two metals. Will not crack due to temperature changes.
In most cases, copper wire is better than aluminum wire because copper wire is more flexible. Aluminum wire is cheaper than copper wire. Aluminum wire has lower tensile strength than copper wire. Compared with fire-resistant copper wire, aluminum wire is corrosive and can easily cause fires.
Summary and conclusion
Now it is clear how aluminum wire and copper wire differ. Aluminum wire corrodes quickly and can cause fires; therefore, copper is the preferred choice for home wiring. As a result, copper wire has replaced other materials for home wiring. Many people use platinum, gold, silver, and even iron wire. There are many good wire options available, but aluminum and copper are the best.