Technical and Economic Considerations of Aluminum Conductors

When many electrical equipment designers, specifiers, and users think of current-carrying conductors, copper is the only material that comes to mind. With recent unprecedented increases in the cost of copper, users are faced with these increases being passed on to them from their suppliers. This paper is intended to provide facts about aluminum for consideration as a viable alternative, address some common misconceptions about aluminum, present its more important mechanical and electrical properties, as well as address cost and reliability considerations. This paper does not attempt to show the overall superiority of one material over the other, but merely provide facts about aluminum so individuals can make more informed decisions regarding aluminum as a viable conductor.