What is Aluminum Wire?
Aluminum, like copper, is conductive, making it a popular choice for electrical wiring. On the other hand, aluminum wire isn’t as robust as copper wiring and has a more significant coefficient of thermal expansion. Nonetheless, there are benefits to employing aluminum wiring.
When compared to copper wire, aluminum wiring is nearly always less expensive. Aluminum wire is frequently less costly than copper wiring. Using aluminum wire rather than copper wiring in a residential residence may save hundreds of dollars. Aluminum wire can save thousands of dollars in a business facility.
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Aluminum wire is easier to work with than copper wiring and is less expensive. Because copper wire is more durable, it is less prone to break. On the other hand, aluminum wire is more flexible and easier to work within tight locations. Hopefully, you now know better the differences between copper and aluminum wiring.
What is Copper Wire?
Copper wire has been employed in home and commercial electrical systems for over half a century. Because of its great tensile strength, it is frequently favored over aluminum wire. Copper has a tensile strength that is around 40% greater than aluminum. Copper wiring has a higher tensile strength than aluminum wiring, making it less likely to break.
This is crucial because the electrical wire is frequently installed by pushing it through ports and feeders. During installation, if the wire is weak, it may break. Copper wiring has a high tensile strength, which makes it resistant to breaking and other types of physical damage.
Copper wiring also has a lower coefficient of thermal expansion than aluminum wiring. In other words, when exposed to heat, it does not expand as much as aluminum wire. As electricity passes via an electrical wire, the temperature rises. The aluminum wire extends more than copper wiring due to its higher thermal expansion. The spliced or linked sections may break if the wiring stretches too much.
Difference Between Aluminum Wire and Copper Wire
- Aluminum and copper wires are both comprised of aluminum. As a result, the characteristics of each metal are distinct in each of them.
- Aluminum wire is less conductive than copper wire (only 60% of copper conductivity), but copper wires are more conducive.
- Aluminum wires are lighter and easier to transport than Copper wires, which are heavier and more difficult to transport.
- Aluminum wires expand at high temperatures and compress at low temperatures, but copper wire does not undergo similar changes. Thermal Changes do not influence it.
- Aluminum wires have a lower flexibility than copper wires.
- Copper wires are more costly than aluminum wires.
- Aluminum wires have lower tensile strength than copper wires.
- Because of their corrosive nature, Aluminum Wires can ignite a fire. However, Copper Wires do not have this problem.
Comparison Between Aluminum Wire and Copper Wire
| Parameters of Comparison | Aluminum Wire | Copper Wire |
| Conductivity | It has a lower conductivity than other metals. | It seems to have a greater contact level. |
| Weight | It’s less heavy. | It is heavier in comparison. |
| Temperature Resistance | When the temperature is high, it expands; when it is low, it contracts. | It can withstand the effects of thermal changes. |
| Cost | It is less expensive in comparison. | It’s a Little More Expensive |
| Ductile and Tensile strength | It has a lower tensile strength and is less ductile. | It seems to have a greater ductile and tensile strength. |