Thanks Craig. I'm installing a 50 amp sub panel for my RV today. I'm using 2-2-2-4 direct burial service entrance wire. You convinced me to spend the extra money for copper. Thanks for the lesson.
there's nothing wrong with aluminum service wiring, in fact most of the power that comes to your home is transmitted on aluminum wiring. look up at your power pole, yup, 99% odds are those are aluminum conductors. you do have to be a little more proactive and check the connections periodically though, but main service wiring isn't where aluminum generally has issues, but with smaller conductors.
I had looked this up because I was learning about the resistivity of different metals and I thought that since aluminum had the lowest resistivity out of the common metals, it would be more widely used as an effective conductor. This video definitely gave me a heads up on the all encompassing properties of aluminum vs. copper. Thanks!
All of your comments about aluminum are incorrect. Aluminum oxide is formed through passivation and self limits. Aluminum does not cause issues because it expands and contracts. All metals expand and contract. The expansion of aluminum is only an issue when paired with copper terminations that have lower expansion rates. When aluminum rated (ALCU) connectors are used on aluminum conductors, there are no mismatched thermal expansion issues and will never loosen. The majority (over 99%) of homes are fed by aluminum conductors (neutral supported triplex or quadrupled or USE (underground service entrance). They never loosen in the load center because the lugs are ALCU.
Hellequin Maskharat price is a big driving force in all engineering projects. That’s why the entire electrical grid is made of aluminum conductors, from overhead transmission wire to Medium Voltage underground and overhead distribution to service entrance cables to individual residences. It’s been in use for decades.
Hellequin Maskharat the entire world. All transmission wires are aluminum. It’s known as ACSR (aluminum conductor steel reinforced). . All standard medium voltage distribution cables are aluminum with a minority of copper.
I agree 100%!!! And ask any auto mechanic if green oxidation on copper wire will eat through the copper wire. Of course it does. I see it every single day at our shop and the years of feedback from other mechanics clearly confirm this to be the case. It’s called the green crustys in the industry.
Aluminum does have one other advantage: weight. Aluminum is almost twice as conductive as copper for a given weight, even though copper is more conductive for a given wire diameter. This is important in, for example, aircraft wiring. Crimped connections using connectors specifically made for aluminum wire are just as safe as copper.
Aluminum wiring requires special techniques to make connections while copper does not. The results of a 2016 survey showed that aluminum was a popular choice for America households however, copper has been proven to be the most effective, currently.
Here's a good question can you use aluminum wiring from the pole they use to run power to your house to the breaker box for battery terminals for a car
nolan edward unlike metals will react, espcially with moisture or oxygen present causing corrosion. An anti-oxidant compound is required to avoid this.
Touch a copper wire to aluminum wire and put it to the tip of your tongue…get that taste like you would testing a battery to old fashion way. Creates a very small “charge” that will oxidize and corrode the wires
yes, though you should use proper code conduit which is generally schedule 80 with a max fill ratio of 53%. you can find fill ratio charts online for the various schedule of pipe and your gauge of wiring. avoid using metal conduit, it may be fine for many years but PVC is a more permanent solution, even if it breaks it will not cause a short circuit situation. i had metal conduit in my lakeside home rust out, the rusted pipe wore through the service wiring and a short circuit blew the whole service run. it lasted about 40 years, PVC will last longer.
but the cost is near twice for copper over aluminum. i stuck with aluminum service wires for my manufactured home because it lasted 45 years and only failed because the metal conduit in the ground rusted and shorted the wiring. just use noalox and check your lugs periodically. funny thing is, a lot of service entrance wiring from your provider is aluminum, you just have to treat it for what it is. beyond my main service panel, the house wiring is copper, because that is where is where the real differences shine.
Years and decades good info. Something about tight n stuff... Good stuff . I'm having a car battery post issue ....i know there are shims that go on the post. But one of my scholars said something about an aluminum can to place in between to achieve that tightness desired in a post. Funny stuff I know . but shure can help in an Emergency !!! PS
Thanks Craig. I'm installing a 50 amp sub panel for my RV today. I'm using 2-2-2-4 direct burial service entrance wire. You convinced me to spend the extra money for copper. Thanks for the lesson.
there's nothing wrong with aluminum service wiring, in fact most of the power that comes to your home is transmitted on aluminum wiring. look up at your power pole, yup, 99% odds are those are aluminum conductors. you do have to be a little more proactive and check the connections periodically though, but main service wiring isn't where aluminum generally has issues, but with smaller conductors.
I had looked this up because I was learning about the resistivity of different metals and I thought that since aluminum had the lowest resistivity out of the common metals, it would be more widely used as an effective conductor.
This video definitely gave me a heads up on the all encompassing properties of aluminum vs. copper.
Thanks!
All of your comments about aluminum are incorrect. Aluminum oxide is formed through passivation and self limits. Aluminum does not cause issues because it expands and contracts. All metals expand and contract. The expansion of aluminum is only an issue when paired with copper terminations that have lower expansion rates. When aluminum rated (ALCU) connectors are used on aluminum conductors, there are no mismatched thermal expansion issues and will never loosen. The majority (over 99%) of homes are fed by aluminum conductors (neutral supported triplex or quadrupled or USE (underground service entrance). They never loosen in the load center because the lugs are ALCU.
@Hellequin Maskharat there is no soldering involved in these kind of electrical connections
Hellequin Maskharat price is a big driving force in all engineering projects. That’s why the entire electrical grid is made of aluminum conductors, from overhead transmission wire to Medium Voltage underground and overhead distribution to service entrance cables to individual residences. It’s been in use for decades.
Hellequin Maskharat the entire world. All transmission wires are aluminum. It’s known as ACSR (aluminum conductor steel reinforced). . All standard medium voltage distribution cables are aluminum with a minority of copper.
Hellequin Maskharat sure. Whatever makes you happy.
I agree 100%!!! And ask any auto mechanic if green oxidation on copper wire will eat through the copper wire. Of course it does. I see it every single day at our shop and the years of feedback from other mechanics clearly confirm this to be the case. It’s called the green crustys in the industry.
Aluminum does have one other advantage: weight. Aluminum is almost twice as conductive as copper for a given weight, even though copper is more conductive for a given wire diameter. This is important in, for example, aircraft wiring. Crimped connections using connectors specifically made for aluminum wire are just as safe as copper.
Aluminum wiring requires special techniques to make connections while copper does not. The results of a 2016 survey showed that aluminum was a popular choice for America households however, copper has been proven to be the most effective, currently.
He couldn’t resist.
Here's a good question can you use aluminum wiring from the pole they use to run power to your house to the breaker box for battery terminals for a car
Clear quick concise answer. Thank you.
Why are special precautions necessary when connecting an aluminum conductor to a copper terminal?
nolan edward unlike metals will react, espcially with moisture or oxygen present causing corrosion. An anti-oxidant compound is required to avoid this.
Touch a copper wire to aluminum wire and put it to the tip of your tongue…get that taste like you would testing a battery to old fashion way. Creates a very small “charge” that will oxidize and corrode the wires
is it okay to use aluminum wire in underground conduit line?
yes, though you should use proper code conduit which is generally schedule 80 with a max fill ratio of 53%. you can find fill ratio charts online for the various schedule of pipe and your gauge of wiring. avoid using metal conduit, it may be fine for many years but PVC is a more permanent solution, even if it breaks it will not cause a short circuit situation. i had metal conduit in my lakeside home rust out, the rusted pipe wore through the service wiring and a short circuit blew the whole service run. it lasted about 40 years, PVC will last longer.
Well explained,is the copper used for cable pure copper?
Mostly.
@@ry8539 it's pure copper
Than why is aluminum used in AC distance pilons
Helped me in 2021
Thank for your entertainment, very helpful
An "AI " on the net said copper will carry 30% more current than ACC cable on the same size cable --is that true?
Wow great information ℹ️
but the cost is near twice for copper over aluminum. i stuck with aluminum service wires for my manufactured home because it lasted 45 years and only failed because the metal conduit in the ground rusted and shorted the wiring. just use noalox and check your lugs periodically. funny thing is, a lot of service entrance wiring from your provider is aluminum, you just have to treat it for what it is. beyond my main service panel, the house wiring is copper, because that is where is where the real differences shine.
thanks for the info
Years and decades good info. Something about tight n stuff... Good stuff . I'm having a car battery post issue ....i know there are shims that go on the post. But one of my scholars said something about an aluminum can to place in between to achieve that tightness desired in a post. Funny stuff I know . but shure can help in an Emergency !!! PS
Thanks
Nice and clear explanation
thank you
What the? The pics in the background?
Thanks for information ❤️
Hello po tanung ku lang po kung panu ko makakabiling aluminum wire. Bibili po kc ako
Helo po. Tanumg ku lang po kung panu makakabiling aluminum wire
Awesome. Thank you sr.
I bet you’ve dealt with a lot of shoddy McMansions in Texas. I’d imagine most of them use aluminum. Have any horror stories?
🤡we are replacing copper wire with aluminum all around me. Solar and turbines all around me too. Can’t wait for this to fail.
one more thing sir, al is almost half the conductive material than copper.
Sanjeev I thought it was the opposite

... photos of wire samples and comparisons please ... just talking is not attractive ...
dang tesla was wrong
Copper oxide is not green get your fact right the green on the statute of liberty is copper carbonate
What is copper carbonate?