Aluminum wire for household purposes became popular in the 1960s. This was because it was cheaper as compared to copper while still conducting electricity effectively. However, just because it's cheap doesn't mean it's unsafe to use or you need to have your home rewired. Using aluminum wires has its own advantages and disadvantages. Let’s have a look at a few advantages and disadvantages of using aluminum wiring:
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. Aluminum's strength can be modified by adding different alloying elements to achieve better results, such as increased strength or simpler formability. Aluminum sheets are used for projects including automobile paneling, artwork, building cladding, and kitchen fitting because of their lightweight, corrosion resistance, and ease of production.
It provides resistance against corrosion: Aluminium is a corrosion-resistant metal that produces a protective covering on its own. When aluminum comes into touch with an oxidizing atmosphere, a very thin layer forms. This protective layer of aluminum 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.
Provides electrical and thermal conductivity: It is a great heat and electrical conductor. Although aluminum is not as conductive as copper, it is about a third the weight, so an aluminum 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 a heatsink in LED lights, electrical appliances, and computer motherboards, among other things.
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, aluminum goods can be manufactured after the design process. Aluminum can be used in sheets, foil, geometrical arrangements, tubes, rods, and wires.
Cost-effective: However, there are numerous benefits to employing aluminum wiring. Aluminum is more pliable and lighter than copper, making it easier to work with. Aluminum wiring can be more cost-effective to install than copper wiring because it is a less expensive metal.
Recyclable nature: Contrary to popular belief, aluminum is 100 percent 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 aluminum wires, now let’s have a look at a few disadvantages of using aluminum wiring:
Aluminum poses several fire dangers. Aluminum wiring can catch fire if put incorrectly or corroded.
Insurance companies are hesitant to provide coverage if you have the aluminum wire installed. Even if a company agrees to insure, they will charge a large premium.
Aluminum wiring necessitates special parts such as lugs, screws, and other terminal elements, all of which must pass compatibility tests.
Because of its wear and tear, aluminum wiring requires more replacement than copper wiring.
Only a skilled electrician can troubleshoot the aluminum wiring.
Because aluminum is a soft metal, loose connections are always a possibility. Soldering aluminum wires is difficult due to the insulating properties of the aluminum oxide generated on the surface. However, substituting aluminum for copper in applications such as electrical machine winding and transformers is problematic. This is due to the lower tensile strength of aluminum wires compared to copper cables.
Aluminum 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 aluminum 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 !
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