Application of Electrical Conductors

Electrical Conductors

Electrical conductors are materials that allow electric current to flow through them with minimal resistance. In other words, they have high electrical conductivity. Conductors are usually metals, such as copper, silver, gold, and aluminum, but they can also include some non-metals, such as graphite. The electrons in conductive materials are able to move freely, allowing electric current to pass through the material with ease. This property makes conductors useful in many electrical applications, such as wiring, circuits, and electronic devices.

Application of Electrical Conductors

Electrical conductors play a critical role in a wide range of applications, including:

1. Electrical wiring: Electrical conductors such as copper wires are used for electrical wiring in buildings, homes, and industrial facilities.
2. Electronics: Electrical conductors are used in a wide range of electronic devices, including televisions, computers, smartphones, and more.
3. Power transmission: Electrical conductors are used in power transmission lines to transmit electricity over long distances from power plants to homes and businesses.
4. Automotive industry: Electrical conductors are used in various automotive applications, including wiring harnesses, spark plugs, and battery cables.
5. Lighting: Electrical conductors are used in lighting applications, including incandescent, fluorescent, and LED lighting.
6. Medical equipment: Electrical conductors are used in a wide range of medical equipment, including ECG machines, X-ray machines, and MRI machines.
7. Aerospace industry: Electrical conductors are used in the aerospace industry for a variety of applications, including wiring, sensors, and communication systems.
8. Renewable energy: Electrical conductors are used in renewable energy systems, including wind turbines and solar panels, to transmit power from the energy source to the electrical grid.

What are electrical wires made of?

Electrolytic tough pitch copper, UNS C11000, is pure copper (with a maximum of 0.0355% impurities) refined by the electrolytic refining process. It is the most widely used grade of copper all over the world. ETP has a minimum conductivity rating of 100% IACS and is required to be 99.9% pure. It has 0.02% to 0.04% oxygen content (typical). Electrical wiring is the most important market for the copper industry. This includes structural power wiring, power distribution cable, appliance wire, communications cable, automotive wire and cable, and magnet wire. Roughly half of all copper mined is used for electrical wire and cable conductors. Pure copper has the best electrical and thermal conductivity of any commercial metal. The conductivity of copper is 97% that of silver. Due to its much lower cost and greater abundance, copper has traditionally been the standard material for electricity transmission applications.

According to the Copper Development Association:

“The term ‘tough pitch’ originates from the time when molten copper, after refining, was cast into ingot moulds. During refining, the copper was oxidized to remove impurities and then reduced by hydrogen to give the correct oxygen level. To monitor this process, a small sample was taken, and the solidification surface was observed. If the surface sunk, there was too much oxygen; if it was raised, there was too much hydrogen. If it was level (correct pitch), the oxygen was correct, and the properties good; in other words, ’ tough,’ hence tough pitch. “

Source: https://copperalliance.org

Why are overhead power lines made of aluminum?

Overhead power lines are often made of aluminum instead of copper or other materials for several reasons:

1. Lightweight: Aluminum is a lighter metal than copper, which makes it easier and more cost-effective to transport and install.
2. Cost-effective: Aluminum is less expensive than copper, making it a more cost-effective material for large-scale applications like power transmission.
3. Corrosion-resistant: Aluminum is naturally resistant to corrosion, which means it can withstand exposure to the elements and last longer than other metals.
4. High conductivity: Although aluminum has lower conductivity than copper, it still has a relatively high conductivity compared to other metals. This means that it can still efficiently conduct electricity, making it suitable for use in power lines.

Overall, aluminum’s combination of lightweight, cost-effectiveness, corrosion-resistance, and conductivity makes it an ideal material for overhead power lines.

There are several different aluminum alloys that can be used for overhead power lines, but the most common alloy used is 1350-H19. This alloy has a high purity level and is specifically designed for electrical applications, with a minimum conductivity of 61.8% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard).

The “1350” in the alloy designation indicates that the aluminum has a minimum purity level of 99.5%, while the “H19” designation refers to the temper or hardness of the material. H19 is a relatively hard temper that provides a good balance of strength and ductility, making it suitable for use in overhead power lines.

Other aluminum alloys that can be used for overhead power lines include 6201-T81 and 6101-T81, which have higher strength and conductivity levels than 1350-H19 but are also more expensive. The specific alloy used will depend on the specific requirements of the power transmission system and the cost considerations of the project.