What Are the Benefits and Drawbacks of Using Aluminium Wire Cables?

 When homeowners discover that their home has aluminium wire, they become anxious. They naturally think that aluminium wiring is dangerous and that copper should be used wherever possible. Is it true that copper wiring is safer than aluminium wiring? Aluminium wire for home power became popular in the 1960s. This was because it was often less expensive to use than copper while still conducting electricity effectively. However, just because it's less expensive doesn't mean it's unsafe to use or that you need to have your home rewired. Using aluminium wires does have its share of advantages and disadvantages. Let’s have a look at a few advantages and disadvantages of using aluminium wiring: 

1. It is lightweight: It is a well-known lightweight metal with a specific weight of 2.71 g/cm3. It weighs about a third as much as steel, making it easier and less expensive to transport than most other metals. Aluminium's strength can be modified by adding different alloying elements to achieve better results, such as increased strength or simpler formability. Aluminium sheets are used for projects including automobile panelling, artwork, building cladding, and kitchen fitting because of their lightweight, corrosion resistance, and ease of production. 

2. It provides resistance against corrosion: Aluminium is a corrosion-resistant metal that produces a protective covering on its own. When aluminium comes into touch with an oxidising atmosphere, a very thin layer forms. This protective layer of aluminium oxide helps to preserve the metal's surface against corrosion. Surface treatment, such as painting or anodizing, can also help to increase the metal's overall corrosion resistance. 

3. Provides electrical and thermal conductivity: It is a great heat and electrical conductor. Although aluminium is not as conductive as copper, it is about a third the weight, so an aluminium wire half the weight of a copper wire would have the same electrical resistance. As a result, it's the material of choice for power transmission lines. It's also a good heat conductor, thus it's employed as heatsinks in LED lights, electrical appliances, and computer motherboards, among other things. 

4. Ductile nature: Aluminium has a low melting point and density and is ductile. It can be treated in different ways in a molten phase. Because of its ductility, aluminium goods can be manufactured after the design process. Aluminium can be used in sheets, foil, geometrical arrangements, tubes, rods, and wires.  

5. Cost-effective: However, there are numerous benefits to employing aluminium wiring. Aluminium is more pliable and lighter than copper, making it easier to work with. Aluminium wiring can be more cost-effective to install than copper wiring because it is a less expensive metal. 

6. Recyclable nature: Contrary to popular belief, aluminium is 100 per cent recyclable and retains all of its original qualities during the recycling process. It is more cost-effective to employ recycled metal during production than primary metal from the ground, thus as much recycled material as feasible is used. 

These were some advantages of using aluminium wires, now let’s have a look at a few disadvantages of using aluminium wiring: 

1. Aluminium poses several fire dangers. Aluminium wiring can catch fire if put incorrectly or corroded.

2. Insurance companies are hesitant to provide coverage if you have the aluminium wire installed. Even if a company agrees to insure, they will charge a large premium.

3. Aluminium wiring necessitates special parts such as lugs, screws, and other terminal elements, all of which must pass compatibility tests.

4. Because of its wear and tear, aluminium wiring requires more replacement than copper wiring.

5. Only a skilled electrician can troubleshoot the aluminium wiring. 

Because aluminium is a soft metal, loose connections are always a possibility. Soldering aluminium wires is difficult due to the insulating properties of the aluminium oxide generated on the surface. However, substituting aluminium for copper in applications such as electrical machine winding and transformers is problematic. This is due to the lower tensile strength of aluminium wires compared to copper cables. 

Aluminium is a soft metal, but it gains mechanical strength when alloyed with other materials such as magnesium, silicon, or iron, and can be used for overhead transmission lines. The decision is yours about what kind of wiring you wanna choose for your house. While aluminium is very popular for overhead conductors like AAAC conductors and ACSR conductors, for house wiring it has its share of cons. If you’re interested in purchasing wire cables online, check out Cabcon India at www.cabconindia.com!