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Your guide to electrical: Consumer & Commercial

Aluminum Wire vs Copper Wire

Several homeowners have wondered “How do I know if I have a copper or aluminum wiring?”, and after looking at some exposed wires in an electrical outlet while doing some repairs, they become highly concerned when they find out they have aluminum wire in their home, as they assume that aluminum wiring is unsafe. Is it true that copper wiring should always be used? When it comes to comparing aluminum wire vs copper wire, which one is better?

Using aluminum for home electrical wiring became popular in the 1960s due to its lower cost and good electrical conductivity. Nevertheless, just because it’s cheaper it doesn’t mean that aluminum is unsafe and you should get your home rewired.

Aluminum vs Copper Wire
Aluminum vs Copper Wire

Aluminum Wire vs Copper Wire

The best kind of wiring for your home is the copper, due to its effective electrical conductivity and easy use. When comparing copper vs aluminum, we can mention that copper wiring is more stable, and smaller conductors are needed to transmit considerable power loads. It performs better and it’s more durable than aluminum wiring. However, one of the copper wiring disadvantages is its price. For some homeowners, it could be too expensive to pay for extensive wiring.

On the other hand, there are several advantages to using aluminum wiring. When comparing aluminum vs copper wire, the first one is much lighter and malleable; therefore, it’s easier to work with it. Also, as it’s around half the cost of copper wiring, aluminum wiring can be more cost-effective to install.

A disadvantage of aluminum wiring is that it must be installed correctly to avoid the risk of house fires. When a current runs through aluminum wiring, metal expands, and this creates a cycle of expanding and contracting called “cold creep.” This can cause connections to become loose and spark. Wires could even melt fixtures and cause a fire if they heat up excessively. An easy way to prevent it is by replacing the connection cap with one rated for copper and aluminum and making sure the final connection to the device is made with copper. Recognized by insurance companies, this method is accepted as a cost-efficient alternative to rewiring your house.

Copper vs Aluminum
Copper vs Aluminum

At the end of the day, when comparing aluminum wire vs copper wire, we can find both have their advantages and disadvantages. Nevertheless, more people choose copper wiring over aluminum wiring when installing a new electrical system in their homes as copper is generally safer and conducts electricity better.

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