As an electrical conductor for building wire systems,
copper is the most efficient, strongest, most reliable metal available
today. Over the life of your system, it can also be the most economical
conductor money can buy.
This page discusses some of the reasons why people use copper for
building wire:
Copper sets the standard for conductivity
Copper is strong
Copper is compatible with connectors and other devices
Copper provides strength and ductility
Copper is easy to install
Copper is corrosion resistant
Copper meets all codes
Copper is economical
Copper sets the standard for conductivity
With its exceptional current carrying capacity, copper is more efficient
than any other electrical conductor.
Because of its superior conductivity, annealed copper is the international
standard to which all other electrical conductors are compared.
In 1913, the international Electro-Technical Commission set the conductivity
of copper at 100% in their International annealed Copper Standard
(IACS). This means that copper provides more current carrying capacity
for a given diameter of wire than any other engineering metal. Today,
copper conductors used in building wire actually have a conductivity
rating of 100% or better, based on the IACS scale. Copper building
wire requires less insulation and smaller conduits than aluminum because
aluminum, with its lower conductivity, must be larger in diameter
than copper to carry the same current. This is why more copper wire
can fit in a given conduit, compared to aluminum. This greater "wire
fill" is a special advantage when a system is rewired or expanded.
Another advantage is that copper oxide also conducts electricity.
So connections and terminations will not overheat and do not require
the use of oxide-inhibiting compounds. In addition, copper also provides
superior thermal conductivity (60% better than aluminum), which saves
energy and accelerates heat dissipation. This property is also especially
helpful at terminations and connections.
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Copper is strong
Because of its strength, copper resists stretching, neck-down, creep,
nicks and breaks.
Copper's exceptional strength, compared to aluminum conductors, is
another reason it has remained the conductor of choice in wiring systems
throughout the building industry. When long runs of aluminum conductors
are pulled through conduit and cable trays, they can stretch and neck-down.
This reduces the current carrying capacity, wastes energy, and can
cause dangerous overheating. Copper, with its superior tensile strength,
safeguards against these conditions occurring.
Copper wiring also resists what engineers call creep, the gradual
deformation of metal unfair stress. When lighter, weaker aluminum
is used, this problem often occurs at connecting points where a screw
can squeeze and deform the conductor, leaving it under stress. This
can cause a loose connection, which may be followed by oxidation,
arcing and overheating. By using copper wire in your system you can
avoid this problem.
The natural hardness and superior strength of copper wiring also help
it to nicks and breakage. In equipment installations and machinery
using non-copper wiring, nicks and scratches can lead to failure due
to vibration and flexing. Through what metallurgists call fatigue
failure, these small flaws can deteriorate into large breaks in the
wiring, causing long-term interruptions in service. For strength,
durability and reliable performance, you can count on copper.
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Copper is compatible with connectors and other devices
All your connections will be solid with sturdy, corrosion-resistant
copper.
Copper building wire is compatible with brass and quality plated screws,
to give you connections that will not corrode or creep. It can be
installed simply and easily with no special tools, washers, pigtails
or joint compounds. And its flexibility makes copper easy to join,
while its hardness helps keep connections securely in place.
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Copper provides strength and ductility
This unique combination makes copper ideal for wiring systems.
Usually, the stronger a metal is, the less pliable it is. Not so with
copper. You get the advantages of durability and ductility when you
specify copper. At junction boxes and terminations, you can bend copper
further, twist it tighter and pull it harder - without stretching
or breaking it.
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Copper is easy to install
Ductility plus, makes copper easy to work with.
The inherent strength, hardness and flexibility of copper building
wire make it very easy to work with. When you pull it through a conduit
it resists stretching, neck-down, or breakage. You can bend it or
twist it easily and it still will not break. You can strip it and
terminate it during installation or service with far less danger of
nicks or breaks. When you're looking for a wiring system that is easy
to hook up and won't break down in service - rely on flexible, durable
copper.
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Copper is corrosion resistant
A noble metal, copper gives your system unequaled reliability and
longevity.
The pure copper used in building wire is described by corrosion specialists
as noble metal. This means it is not subject to galvanic corrosion
when connected to other, less noble metals and alloys. Copper wiring
will also resist corrosion from moisture, humidity, industrial pollution
and other atmospheric influences - to insure safe, trouble-free performance
for the life of your system.
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Copper meets all codes
Years of reliable performance have made copper wiring the industry
standard.
Copper wiring complies with every code, ordinance and regulation for
electrical conductors throughout the United States. Copper's superior
performance in all types of installations has earned it nationwide
acceptance as the long-established standard for building wire conductors.
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Copper is economical
Over the life of your system, superior performance and dependability
translate into real economy.
On a first-look basic, aluminum is sometimes cheaper than copper building
wire. But real economy is not measured by initial cost alone. Life-cycle
cost, which includes installation extra tools, procedures, materials,
service calls, repairs and potential for expansion of the system must
also be considered along with the potential liability for inadequate
service performance. These are real costs often missed on a first-look
basis. Consider the following list of factors and their cost implications.
Then compare copper with the substitute. You will find that copper
gets more and more economical as you go down the list.
With copper, you get:
• Superior current carrying capacity for narrower conduits
• Easier installation - no need for special connectors, tools,
compounds and procedures
• Wire fill and expansion possibilities
• Resistance to stretching, neck-down, creep, nicks, breaks and
corrosion
• No extra maintenance and repair calls due to poor performance
and breakdowns
• Extra protection against liability for possible problems in
service
Over the life of your system, the strength, efficiency and performance
of copper almost always make it the most cost-effective wiring material
available today.
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