Selection criteria for usage of aluminum wires in automobile wiring harness

In the automobile industry, high fuel prices and growing environmental concerns have continuously driven up the demand for fuel efficient vehicles. Improved transmission and engine design, aerodynamics, fuel quality improvement and weight reduction are some of the various methods which can contribute to increase in fuel efficiency. Reduction in the weight of wiring harness can lead to decrease in overall vehicle weight, which was a key motivation that led us to explore a light weight, cost effective alternate conductor in the form of aluminum. This paper explains the methodology used for adoption of aluminum conductor in wiring harness.