What Is Copper Wire?
Typically, copper wire is defined as a single conductor for electrical signals, while a copper cable consists of multiple copper wires grouped into a common jacket. A common function is shared by the multiple types of copper wire; the conduction of electricity with minimal resistance that causes voltage drops and energy dissipation in the form of heat. As a matter of fact, since the 1820’s copper has been widely used (especially at home wiring) when the first technology requiring electrical conductivity was developed. Copper’s conductivity is undoubtedly the best, and it also requires less insulation. Moreover, it can be stretched more effectively than other metals.
Different Types of Copper Wire
Some common types of copper wires are the following:
Beryllium Copper Wire
This type of copper wiring has the advantage of copper’s high strength combined with non-sparking and non-magnetic qualities, and it can be age or mill-hardened. Besides its flexibility, this wire is also corrosion-resistant. It can form complex shapes, intricate forms, or springs. Among this copper wire uses we can commonly find metalworking, forming, and machining.
Copper Alloy Wire
These copper wires are available in both customized and standard form factors. The manufacturer specifications to consider in selecting the best match for your needs will include tensile strength (measured in psi), working temperature, and size. Among the options, you will find Brass, Zirconium, Beryllium, Titanium, Bronze, etc. The durability, solderability, need for insulation and strength will commonly be altered by the choice of alloy.
Copper Clad Aluminum Wire (CCA)
This type of wire is available in different insulation, jacket thicknesses, and conductor diameters, with features including working with oil, fire, temperatures, and ozone resistance. CCA wire has an aluminum core and an outer copper cladding that gives it conductivity with reduced weight. This copper wiring has greater electrical conductivity and higher strength than pure aluminum wire while being less expensive than pure copper wire.
Copper Clad Steel Wire (CCS)
CCS wire combines steel’s high tensile strength with copper’s conductivity. Among this copper wire uses we can find power supplies, motors, medical products, hardware, magnetic assemblies, intelligent pressure and temperature measuring instruments, and more. Commonly, an annealed/soft tempered copper-clad steel has a lower tensile strength than a hard-drawn alternative.
Copper Nickel & Nickel Plated Copper Wire
These copper wires suppliers manufacture conductive wiring for petrochemical, nuclear, medical, and aerospace industries. These types of copper wire might be available in small quantities and customized sizes or mill run, cut-to-size, roll stock, aggregate screens, circles, slit rolls, discs, heavy woven mesh or custom weaves.
Oxygen-Free Highly Conductive Copper (OFHC) Wire
The OFHC wire is a top-grade, refined type of wire melted and cast under rigorously controlled conditions to reduce the oxygen level to 0.001% of below (ASTM Standard). OFHC is used in applications that demand high durability and accuracy due to its higher thermal and electrical conductivity, higher temperature and recrystallization, and higher workability. Moreover, this unalloyed, high purity copper wire has great corrosion resistance and solderability.
Titanium Clad Copper Wire
Ductile for shaping and forming, with a remarkable conductivity in corrosive processes, this copper wiring offers strong weldability for capping, joining, and connecting. Among this copper wire uses we can find applications in water treatment, chemical processing, desalination, power generation, and other applications that combine the need for high corrosion protection with high current-carrying requirements.