Why is copper wire considered best for house wiring?
Copper is the best cable for household wiring because of its conductivity, safety, ease of installation, and tensile strength.
When it comes to conductivity, copper is the best overall material on the market. Silver is more conductive, but it is not used in wire conductors.
Copper is also very easy to install as it is not prone to sudden breakage. Aluminum dominates the fields where the wires are installed by professionals, and the risk of breakage is minimized. Another issue is that the ampacities of copper and aluminum are not equal, so you have to use the bigger size of aluminum for the same application, which might be problematic. Due to the tensile strength, copper does not expand the same way aluminum does, which is yet another convenience that makes copper superior.
What is the deal with the 1960s-1970s aluminum wiring?
Ever since modern wire and cable has been introduced, copper has been used for household wiring in the world and the United States. However, the US had taken a detour from electric copper wiring in the 1960s and 1970s, when most houses started using aluminum wiring. The reason for this was the consistent increase in aluminum prices over these decades.
The aluminum that had been installed in homes at that time had the tendency to overheat; it was hard to install because of its softness. There were also issues with the oxide and expansion of the metal. However, metal was not the only factor to blame for these issues. Faulty connectors that did not work quite well with aluminum and faulty installation practices blamed the aluminum itself. In the 1980s, the country returned to mainstream use of copper. However, the houses that were built in the 1960s and 1970s still have old aluminum wiring. It is generally recommended to replace this wiring.
Is it safe to use aluminum wiring at home today?
There are no direct prohibitions on using aluminum in-home wiring in the National Electrical Code. With appropriate installation methods and materials, you can now install aluminum wiring in your house. Modern aluminum alloys are a much better alternative to those of the 1970s, and the connectors are no longer as faulty as they once were. However, copper is still a better conductor of electricity, and using aluminum instead of it is very much a u-turn. However, it is also understandable because of the growing copper prices.
Where to buy the best quality copper and aluminum wire?
Nassau National Cable is your go-to platform when it comes to buying copper home wiring. They have high-quality copper wires for homes of all types, including THHN-THWN-2, XHHW-2, XLP USE-2 RHH RHW-2, Underground Feeder UF-B Copper, Romex Wire, and others. If you are instead looking for an aluminum alternative because of budget constraints, even though copper is the best conductor of electricity, they sell aluminum alternatives as well. Nassau National Cable has excellent prices, thanks to the tight relationships they have with suppliers.
