Energy

Wire Conductor Choice

http://www.usawire-cable.com/pdfs/WIRE%20KNOWLEDGE.pdf

Wire material: copper vs aluminum.

Copper is more conductive per unit volume but corrodes through. Scarcer material. Oxides are conductive.

Aluminum is more conductive per unit mass and forms strong corrosion-resistant layer. End connections require conductive plating (after fluxing to remove the oxides) conventionally with tin or silver. Aluminum forms hotspots due to lower conductivity per volume, hence requires greater positioning/bending consideration.

Wire Insulator Choice

Conventional: thermoplastics for heat and moisture protection. Nylon-coated for oil and gas protection.

See Also

• Energy Production

Energy Infrastructure

• 50 kilowatt-hour Battery Bank

• 120VAC Single Phase Inverter

• 220VAC Single Phase Inverter

• 3 Phase Converter

• Battery Bank Charger

• Breaker Box

• Large Diameter Indoor Power Wire

• Large Diameter Outdoor Power Wire