ALUMINUM ELECTRICAL CABLE FAQ
What Is Aluminum Wire?
Aluminum electrical cables are wire products with core conductors made of aluminum. Aluminum conductors are very consistent, therefore you will rarely experience fluctuation in power caused by the conductor’s resistance to the flow of current during use.
The most common aluminum cables for sale are direct burial cables and aluminum building wires. Nassau National Cable offers all types of aluminum cable for sale online.
What Is Aluminum Electrical Cable Used For?
Due to the high consistency of their conductors, aluminum power cables are widely used for stable electrical supply to the utilities, such as on business premises, residential places, and industries. Aluminum electrical cables are also used for power grids and transmission, as well as distribution lines and applications.
Generally, aluminum cables are perfect for applications requiring secondary distribution of power from the mains to the end-user. Some of the common uses of the cables are commercial and industrial, particularly for distribution transformers, service conductors, and secondary mains. Aluminum cables are rarely used for home wiring. Since it has a vast range of applications, some of them are designed as one-conductor (single), two- (duplex), three- (triplex), and four-conductor (quadruplex).
Why Is Aluminum Electrical Cable Quality Important?
Aluminum underground wires have up to four conductors, insulation, a jacket, and a shield if needed. The conductor transmits current, and the insulation is a safety feature protecting the cable handler from electrocution. The jacketing is another safety feature that protects and keeps the components of the cable together while the shield gives the cable a high structural rigidity and more protection.
A failure in any of these parts leads to the cable being dangerous in use by increasing the possibility of fluctuations in power and the inability to connect to electrical devices. Therefore, the high quality of the cable ensures its safety.
Since the cables are heavy, putting them overhead requires the thorough installation to ensure safety and proper performance. This is why installing them underground is a more common way in terms of safety.
What type of aluminum is used in modern cables?
AA-8000 aluminum alloy is used for all types of popular aluminum wire, including building wire, per the National Electrical Code. It is considered to be the conventional material for aluminum building wire in the 21st century.
Which factors should you consider when deciding on aluminum or copper cable?
Ampacity is indeed a serious consideration when choosing copper or aluminum because the conductors of aluminum cables are bigger than copper conductors that have the same ampacity. However, there are more considerations. Aluminum has a higher impedance than copper and is lighter and cheaper. As for the benefits of copper, it is more conducive and elastic than aluminum.
Is there a need for a particular type of connector with aluminum conductors?
Yes, all connectors should be marked with the letters "AL". There are several subtypes of connectors with this marker. It is strictly prohibited to use marker CU, because it is meant for copper conductors.
Are compression-type connectors needed for aluminum conductors?
Compression conductors can be used, but it is not a requirement.
Is joint compound a necessity to stop corrosion from happening?
In general, there is no need for a joint compound on an aluminum conductor because there is no such requirement in the National Electrical Code. However, joint compounds can, in fact, be required by relevant local codes. However, if your goal is to prevent corrosion, it is best to use joint compounds in any case.
Do aluminum cables have lower voltage and current because they are worse electrical conductors than copper cables?
No, this is not necessarily true that lower voltage and current are the results of aluminum being a worse conductor. While copper is the best electrical conductor that currently exists on the market, aluminum is close to it as a second-best one. The lower voltage and current is simply because of the greater resistance of the aluminum conductors and not because they are worse than copper.
How can I choose which aluminum wire to use for my requirement?
You can click on any category of aluminum wire below and study their unique characteristics. There is a great variety of aluminum cables, including cables for mobile home feeders, service entrance applications, photovoltaic cells, building purposes, overhead utility lines, power distribution, direct burial applications, and many others. If unsure, you can read our blogs about aluminum overhead cables, direct burial wire, or URD Triplex and Quadruplex Cables, or call us at 1-516-482-6313 to consult a specialist who would help you to choose the right cable for your electrical project.