Pros and Cons of Aluminum Wiring | Electrician Santa Rosa

08 Jul.,2024

 

Pros and Cons of Aluminum Wiring | Electrician Santa Rosa

The Pros and Cons of Aluminum Wiring

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Once the norm due to wartime rationing of copper, aluminum wiring went out of style a few decades ago. Despite the appeal of its low cost, aluminum acquired a bad reputation due to safety concerns. With improved knowledge and methods for installing and maintaining aluminum wiring systems, it is now very possible to have an effective, reliable, and economical wiring solution with aluminum.

Aluminum wiring holds the greatest appeal for commercial and industrial applications. The inexpensive, lightweight and pliable conductor offers distinct advantages for large buildings and campuses.

For homeowners, aluminum wiring rarely gets chosen over copper wiring these days. However, with proper inspection and modern repairs, an existing aluminum system can be safely left in place.

Advantages of Aluminum Wiring

Priced at less than half of copper wiring, aluminum brings savings and other practical benefits:

  • Low cost. Aluminum has consistently low costs and you can use less of it. Copper requires a greater quantity and is susceptible to changing market prices.
  • Easy to work with. Although aluminum should not be firmly bent or kinked, it is very pliable and can be installed quickly and effectively in many difficult locations.
  • Lightweight. In industrial settings or anywhere that weight poses a concern, aluminum wiring offers a significant reduction in weight compared to copper.

Disadvantages of Aluminum Wiring

Copper wiring dominates the market because copper has greater durability and fewer safety concerns. Despite the appeal that aluminum holds for many applications, you should be aware of its downfalls. Among the disadvantages of aluminum:

  • Fire hazards. When installed improperly or damaged by water or corrosion, aluminum wiring poses an increased risk of building electrical fires.
  • Insurance costs. Some insurance companies will not insure a house or building fitted with aluminum electrical wiring. Others may demand a higher premium or insist on special inspections.
  • Requires special parts. All screws, lugs, and terminal parts must be approved for compatibility with aluminum. This makes it necessary to always work with an electrician with expertise in aluminum wiring for all installation and repairs.
  • Longevity. Overall, aluminum needs to be replaced more often than copper wiring because aluminum is more likely to become corroded or damaged.

If You Have Aluminum Wiring or Want to Install It&#;

Be sure to work with a licensed electrician who knows the special concerns of aluminum wiring. With proper wiring design and installation, you can get reliable power from aluminum wiring while enjoying the cost savings. Just be prepared for special concerns to arise when repairs are needed and make sure you have things straightened out with your insurance company.

If your home already has aluminum wiring, it does not necessarily need to be replaced. However, you can and should have the electrical system inspected. Aluminum was often installed incorrectly decades ago, leading to the safety hazards and corrosion problems. These issues can be fixed with retrofitted parts and safety precautions that a local electrician can provide.

Cost concerns and project needs will dictate whether aluminum or copper wiring makes the better choice for your home or business. For help planning, installing, and servicing your electrical system, contact us for help from an experienced and expert electrician.

Copper Wire v/s Aluminum Wire

Is your new home under construction? Or are you facing electrical issues with the existing wiring set-up at your home? Not sure which wiring you should choose for a safer home? We are here to help you with your decision.

For cabling solutions at your home or office, the wire and cable industry uses a variety of metal conductors but Copper & Aluminum are the most common in the manufacturing of electrical wires. These metals are best suited for different applications because of their unique properties. Here are the most common differences between Copper & Aluminum wires.

Copper is the preferred wiring for your home over aluminum because of its ease of use and ability to effectively conduct electricity. It is more stable, durable, and performs better than aluminum wires.  Copper is known to have better Conductivity than Aluminium. Copper wire is more expensive whereas the cost of aluminum wires is comparatively low but they are corrosive and can cause a fire.

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Let&#;s talk a little bit more about each type of wiring, separately.

Copper Wiring

Copper wiring is often preferred over aluminum wiring. Copper's tensile strength is about 40 percent better than that of aluminum and thus Copper is less likely to break. This is important considering that electrical wiring is sometimes mounted by pulling it through ports and feeders. It can break during installation if the wiring is weak or fragile. 

Copper wiring has a lower thermal expansion. This means it doesn&#;t expand as much as aluminum wiring when exposed to heat. And when electricity flows through electrical wiring, its temperature increases. One of the disadvantages that might stop you from opting for copper wiring is its cost. So, if extensive wiring is required, copper wiring can be too expensive for you.

 

Aluminum Wiring

Aluminum is also a common material used in the construction of electrical wires. Unfortunately, aluminum wiring is not as strong as copper wiring, and it has a higher thermal expansion coefficient. But still, there are advantages of using aluminum wiring. Aluminium Wiring is cheaper and lighter than copper wiring, almost half the price. Using aluminum wiring for a residential home or commercial building saves a lot of money. On one hand, copper wires are strong, better conductivity and on the other hand, aluminum wires are preferred for Fixed Installation. Aluminium has a significantly higher specific electrical resistivity than copper. This difference is highly relevant for power cables. 

Aluminium conductor requires 56% larger cross-sectional area than copper for same current carrying capability.

Get Customer Satisfaction with Paramount Cables

Paramount Cables focuses on manufacturing excellence, technological advancement, and customer satisfaction. It strives to meet & exceed global quality benchmarks and to provide total cabling solutions for its customers.

You will get world-class and cost-effective products with a complete range of cables including House Wiring, Optical Fibre cables for Telecom & Defence, High Voltage & Low Voltage Power Cables, Control & Instrumentation Cables, etc.

We hope the above information will help you in making the right choice.

If you are looking for more details, kindly visit Aluminum Alloy Welding Wire Manufacturer.