Copper is being used for electric wiring for around two centuries and the use of copper as electrical conductor has been steadily growing in diverse categories of industries including telecommunications, power distribution, and electronics.
Broad spectrum of properties
Copper wires are made in different forms including bare copper wire, insulated copper wire, and wire of copper alloys. Copper is endowed with wide range of qualities such as ductility, tensile strength, corrosion resistance, and creep resistance. Copper is also having aesthetic properties and is abundantly used in making ornaments and artifacts.
Copper is able to sustain repeated expansion and contraction forces without getting deformed and hence copper wires do not need additional periodic maintenance to check the terminal connections. Bare copper wire is also highly stable in challenging environmental conditions including heat, humidity, and industrial pollution.
High strength copper alloys are used in high end applications including aerospace and computer industries. Alloys of copper with cadmium, zirconium, and chromium are used for their strength and flexibility.
Thermal and electrical characteristics
Copper is used in electrical industry due to its excellent ability of transporting electrical charge. It is also preferred in electrical circuits because of its superior thermal conductivity. Copper is capable of dissipating the heat produced in electrical systems and has better ability to withstand load spikes than aluminum.
Bare copper wire can sustain temperatures up 100 degree Celsius. Bare copper wire can be drawn in smaller strands and offer ease of installation. However copper wires are sometimes coated with tin for enhanced conductivity, water resistance, and ease of soldering.
In high frequency induction heaters, heavy tinned copper wires with thicker coating are used frequently. Coating by silver enhances thermal resistance of copper up to 200 deg Celsius. These silver coated copper wires find their applications in aerospace industries.
Bare copper wire is used as a single strand wire in copper conductor applications especially in transformers and motors as magnet wires. Bare copper wire is also used to make braided copper wire to build an assembly. Stranded copper wires are used for improving flexibility and strength of electrical cables. Plating is also imparted to bare copper wires to enhance life and it is usually done by using tin or silver metal.
Safety and durability
Bare copper wire is basically used for its electrical conductivity properties because copper is considered to be the best electrical conductor. Copper wire withstands bending since it is not brittle and is therefore used in different applications of electrical wiring.
Safety is an important attribute of copper. Since it can withstand high temperatures, copper wire is extensively used in electrical wiring and does not catch fire even in case of wide fluctuations in loads.
With excellent corrosion resistance, copper is a preferred metal in marine industries. Copper is also regarded for convenience of working. It is easy to use copper for wiring due to its flexibility.
Copper wires can be easily accommodated in tight spaces. Bare copper wire is also preferred for longer lasting finish and durability. Wiring done with copper does not need regular maintenance and can continue to offer flawless service for years to come.
Copper wire continues to command its use in wide ranging applications due to its amazing properties.