Power Wire Types: Copper and Silver?
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From: Miami, FL
Re: Power Wire Types: Copper and Silver? (wrx-killer-Sti-eater)
is the copper clad aluminum crap? it says 90% aluminum and 10% copper...i always heard that alum. has a higher resistance
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From: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: Power Wire Types: Copper and Silver? (imadigitalgod)
Aluminum definitely has higher resistance. Its main advantage is cost, which is why it's used for things like the 220V wiring in your house, the wiring from your house to the nearby power transformer, etc.
Very few materials conduct better than copper (platinum is one), including silver. Just use copper wire and don't worry about all the marketing BS. For DC (which cars use), the number of strands and their size doesn't matter either, except that more stranded wire is more flexible and easy to handle and route around tight corners. But you'll get the same performance from solid wire.
Very few materials conduct better than copper (platinum is one), including silver. Just use copper wire and don't worry about all the marketing BS. For DC (which cars use), the number of strands and their size doesn't matter either, except that more stranded wire is more flexible and easy to handle and route around tight corners. But you'll get the same performance from solid wire.
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From: Toronto, On, Canada
Re: Power Wire Types: Copper and Silver? (dwolsten)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dwolsten »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Aluminum definitely has higher resistance. Its main advantage is cost, which is why it's used for things like the 220V wiring in your house, the wiring from your house to the nearby power transformer, etc.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
i'm not sure how things are done in AZ but we haven't used aluminum wiring for residential use in decades. Aluminum wire is used from the street to the mast because of its low weight, not cost.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
i'm not sure how things are done in AZ but we haven't used aluminum wiring for residential use in decades. Aluminum wire is used from the street to the mast because of its low weight, not cost.
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From: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: Power Wire Types: Copper and Silver? (EBP_SI)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EBP_SI »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">i'm not sure how things are done in AZ but we haven't used aluminum wiring for residential use in decades. Aluminum wire is used from the street to the mast because of its low weight, not cost.</TD></TR></TABLE>
That's probably correct, but I'm fairly sure it's still very common to use aluminum wire for the 240V wiring (to your water heater, stove, A/C, etc.), though copper is obviously exclusively used for the 120V wiring. In my last house, I had to fix the wiring on my hot water heater and it had aluminum wiring in the wall; this house was built in 1984. I don't believe this has changed. And with the price of copper going through the roof, I imagine they'll try to use aluminum as much as possible in the future. With all the building going on here in Phoenix, we have armed guards at all the new subdivisions to keep people from stealing copper wire and piping at night. We have people getting electrocuted while trying to steal copper wire from utility poles!
Also around here, all the wiring is underground. I'll have to go check my utility panel some time and see what kind of wire is coming up from the ground.
I could be wrong though; I haven't looked at the wiring in any new (1990+) houses.
That's probably correct, but I'm fairly sure it's still very common to use aluminum wire for the 240V wiring (to your water heater, stove, A/C, etc.), though copper is obviously exclusively used for the 120V wiring. In my last house, I had to fix the wiring on my hot water heater and it had aluminum wiring in the wall; this house was built in 1984. I don't believe this has changed. And with the price of copper going through the roof, I imagine they'll try to use aluminum as much as possible in the future. With all the building going on here in Phoenix, we have armed guards at all the new subdivisions to keep people from stealing copper wire and piping at night. We have people getting electrocuted while trying to steal copper wire from utility poles!
Also around here, all the wiring is underground. I'll have to go check my utility panel some time and see what kind of wire is coming up from the ground.
I could be wrong though; I haven't looked at the wiring in any new (1990+) houses.
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From: Toronto, On, Canada
Re: Power Wire Types: Copper and Silver? (dwolsten)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dwolsten »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
That's probably correct, but I'm fairly sure it's still very common to use aluminum wire for the 240V wiring (to your water heater, stove, A/C, etc.), though copper is obviously exclusively used for the 120V wiring. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Copper is used at all voltages. the problem with aluminum is that it expands and contracts much more than copper which poses serious problems for making reliable long term connections. trust me when i say for all wiring thats not suspended, copper is the preferred choice
That's probably correct, but I'm fairly sure it's still very common to use aluminum wire for the 240V wiring (to your water heater, stove, A/C, etc.), though copper is obviously exclusively used for the 120V wiring. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Copper is used at all voltages. the problem with aluminum is that it expands and contracts much more than copper which poses serious problems for making reliable long term connections. trust me when i say for all wiring thats not suspended, copper is the preferred choice
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From: Herkimer, NY, USA
Re: Power Wire Types: Copper and Silver? (dwolsten)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by dwolsten »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">but I'm fairly sure it's still very common to use aluminum wire for the 240V wiring (to your water heater, stove, A/C, etc.), </TD></TR></TABLE>
Hmmm... Doesn't look like I can buy aluminum wire from Lowes... http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...00085.
Hmmm... Doesn't look like I can buy aluminum wire from Lowes... http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn...00085.
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From: Chandler, AZ, USA
Re: Power Wire Types: Copper and Silver? (EBP_SI)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by EBP_SI »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Copper is used at all voltages. the problem with aluminum is that it expands and contracts much more than copper which poses serious problems for making reliable long term connections. trust me when i say for all wiring thats not suspended, copper is the preferred choice</TD></TR></TABLE>
Not entirely true.
According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_wire), "Aluminum wire is often used in residential applications for service entrance and large branch circuit loads such as ranges and air-conditioning units."
In addition, it looks like they're going back to aluminum now, as "The latest market to embrace aluminum is building wire due to the rapidly rising price of copper. Electrical contractors have switched from copper to aluminum alloy building wire using the new 8000 alloy as specified by the National Electrical Code (NEC). Contractors are using larger sizes of aluminum building wire for low voltage feeders where the savings over copper is significant due the higher weight. Aluminum building wire will have half the weight of copper even though the aluminum conductor must have 50% greater area than copper to carry the same current as copper. The aluminum conductors used for building wire are compacted in such a way that the overall diameter of the aluminum wire is approximately the same as copper. A popular choice is to use aluminum Metal Clad (Type MC) where the cable is preassembled in interlocked aluminum armor and does not require pulling the wire in a conduit. The cable can be installed in one step saving on labor in addition to savings over copper."
Not entirely true.
According to Wikipedia (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aluminium_wire), "Aluminum wire is often used in residential applications for service entrance and large branch circuit loads such as ranges and air-conditioning units."
In addition, it looks like they're going back to aluminum now, as "The latest market to embrace aluminum is building wire due to the rapidly rising price of copper. Electrical contractors have switched from copper to aluminum alloy building wire using the new 8000 alloy as specified by the National Electrical Code (NEC). Contractors are using larger sizes of aluminum building wire for low voltage feeders where the savings over copper is significant due the higher weight. Aluminum building wire will have half the weight of copper even though the aluminum conductor must have 50% greater area than copper to carry the same current as copper. The aluminum conductors used for building wire are compacted in such a way that the overall diameter of the aluminum wire is approximately the same as copper. A popular choice is to use aluminum Metal Clad (Type MC) where the cable is preassembled in interlocked aluminum armor and does not require pulling the wire in a conduit. The cable can be installed in one step saving on labor in addition to savings over copper."
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From: Beavertown, OR
Copper is more expensive period. That is why its not used by your utility company. A few pennies her and there may not seem like much but then mutiply it by the hundred of thousands of miles it takes to route the wire from the power plant to your home.
If price wasnt a concern go with copper.
Weight isn't an issue. No high voltage wire supports itself. Even the wire run to your house has a strain relief cable to support the weight.
At 12 volts you really shouldn't be concerned with it being copper,silver,aluminum. Your only concern should be it fits your budget, and can supply the current needs.
*edit* changed a typo see bold ........
Modified by nsxxtreme at 7:50 PM 9/21/2007
If price wasnt a concern go with copper.
Weight isn't an issue. No high voltage wire supports itself. Even the wire run to your house has a strain relief cable to support the weight.
At 12 volts you really shouldn't be concerned with it being copper,silver,aluminum. Your only concern should be it fits your budget, and can supply the current needs.
*edit* changed a typo see bold ........
Modified by nsxxtreme at 7:50 PM 9/21/2007
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Re: (nsxxtreme)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxxtreme »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">Copper is more expensive period. That is why its used on your utility company. A few pennies her and there may not seem like much but then mutiply it by the hundred of thousands of miles it takes to route the wire from the power plant to your home.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
actually i work at a power plant and we don't use copper lines FYI.
Secondly, copper is more expensive and less conductive, i would say this issue doesn't matter @12V and 200mA or so to turn on your amp tho, unless you are trying to turn on multiple amps or something.
</TD></TR></TABLE>
actually i work at a power plant and we don't use copper lines FYI.
Secondly, copper is more expensive and less conductive, i would say this issue doesn't matter @12V and 200mA or so to turn on your amp tho, unless you are trying to turn on multiple amps or something.
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Re: (slowSOHCvtec)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slowSOHCvtec »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">actually i work at a power plant and we don't use copper lines FYI.
Secondly, copper is more expensive and less conductive, i would say this issue doesn't matter @12V and 200mA or so to turn on your amp tho, unless you are trying to turn on multiple amps or something. </TD></TR></TABLE>
Huh? No, copper is more conductive than just about anything else besides platinum. Aluminum is not as conductive as copper, which is why aluminum wiring has to be larger-gauge than copper for the same current load (see the reference wikipedia article). But as you said, it's also more expensive, and getting constantly worse as the huge demand for copper in India and China increases due to their rapid industrialization.
The cost probably isn't a huge deal in a car (yet), with 12 to 22-gauge wiring, but in a power plant, with the huge cables used there, I'm sure the different is enormous.
Secondly, copper is more expensive and less conductive, i would say this issue doesn't matter @12V and 200mA or so to turn on your amp tho, unless you are trying to turn on multiple amps or something.
</TD></TR></TABLE>Huh? No, copper is more conductive than just about anything else besides platinum. Aluminum is not as conductive as copper, which is why aluminum wiring has to be larger-gauge than copper for the same current load (see the reference wikipedia article). But as you said, it's also more expensive, and getting constantly worse as the huge demand for copper in India and China increases due to their rapid industrialization.
The cost probably isn't a huge deal in a car (yet), with 12 to 22-gauge wiring, but in a power plant, with the huge cables used there, I'm sure the different is enormous.
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From: Beavertown, OR
Re: (slowSOHCvtec)
Your statement is confusing.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slowSOHCvtec »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">copper is more expensive and less conductive</TD></TR></TABLE>
Copper is more expensive and more conductive then aluminum.
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by slowSOHCvtec »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">actually i work at a power plant and we don't use copper lines FYI.</TD></TR></TABLE> That is of no surprise.
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From: Williamstown, NJ, 08094
Re: (nsxxtreme)
<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by nsxxtreme »</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote">
Your statement is confusing.
Copper is more expensive and more conductive then aluminum.
. </TD></TR></TABLE>
sorry mean to say more and more, the main reason also that copper is not used instead of another metal (ie silver, aluminum) is because of coppers uncanny ability to corrode over time. This is why many contacts and leads are not usually copper.
Your statement is confusing.
Copper is more expensive and more conductive then aluminum.
. </TD></TR></TABLE>
sorry mean to say more and more, the main reason also that copper is not used instead of another metal (ie silver, aluminum) is because of coppers uncanny ability to corrode over time. This is why many contacts and leads are not usually copper.
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