If you have a customer with an upcoming project requiring wire & cable, you want to get them what they need, when they need it. In most cases, these projects are submitted to you with tight budget parameters. A cost effective alternative to offering a traditional copper wire product is aluminum. Not all projects are a good fit for aluminum to be selected over copper, so make sure to check with your customer on the specific requirements for the project. Quite often, if your customer can utilize aluminum, the advantages of working with this product can help you win the bid.
Technical Advantages
Did you know it only takes one pound of aluminum to equal the current-carrying capacity of two pounds of copper? True statement. This makes aluminum wire & cable an appealing material for builders, utilities and other users. Aluminum weighs half of the equivalent ampacity of copper, which is an advantage for pulling or supporting applications. The lightweight aspect of aluminum wire can make it easier for technicians to work with.
It’s Tough
It may be lightweight, but aluminum cable has extreme endurance fatigue. This means it has the ability to bend back and forth without breaking. The endurance fatigue of aluminum alloy building wire is also generally greater than equivalent ampacity copper and exhibits less spring-back.
Less Expensive Than Copper
Perhaps aluminum is best known for its cost-saving advantages. Aluminum conductors are generally more economical than equal ampacity copper conductors. In some cases, it can be up to half the cost of copper wiring, providing a huge benefit to your customer. Quite often, the economics of aluminum make it more desirable to use. This is especially evident in large projects that require extensive wiring and when runs span long distances.
Credit:DWC
