What are the advantages of copper in wire and cable?

1. Safety:According to the research of the International Copper Association, it is safe to use copper cables, pure aluminum and aluminum cables that comply with product standards for a certain period of time, but in the long run, the accident rate of using copper cables is much lower than that of aluminum and aluminum. The creep performance of Chinese aluminum alloys varies greatly and cannot be compared with copper. The thermal cycle test of copper cables is better than aluminum and aluminum alloys. Aluminum alloys require copper and aluminum joints, and the quality of the joints is a concern. One more connection means one more risk. Moreover, the installation of aluminum and aluminum alloy wires and cables requires strict requirements for workers' operating skills, while copper cable installation has a much higher tolerance rate.

2. applicability: from the application performance, aluminum alloy to improve mechanical properties while reducing electrical conductivity (conductivity: copper> aluminum> aluminum alloy); aluminum alloy load is inconsistent, there is no international and domestic standards; it exaggerates the load carrying capacity and reduces the cross-section of the conductor, which is prone to cause accidents. And from copper > aluminum > aluminum alloy flexibility and bending performance; comparison of different insulation armor is meaningless.

3. durability: from an experimental point of view, in terms of corrosion resistance, copper > aluminum > aluminum alloy, aluminum alloy precipitation hydrogen electrochemical corrosion risk, aluminum alloy salt spray test is not as good as aluminum, or even worse than copper, accelerated aging test proved that: 8000 series, for example, aluminum alloy connection specimen conductivity loss of 40%, copper connection specimen loss of electrical conductivity function is lower; Aluminum alloy connection of the contact resistance is significantly increased by 10%. The contact resistance of aluminum alloy connection is significantly increased by 10%, and the contact resistance of copper connection is also significantly reduced.

4. Energy saving full life cycle study: According to the survey data of the International Copper Association, in the raw material stage, the energy consumption of 1 ton of primary aluminum is higher than that of 2 tons of copper, which reaches 93%. In the use stage, the resistance of aluminum alloy is higher than that of copper under the same load bearing capacity. In recycling, copper can be used directly in power cables, while aluminum alloy can only be degraded.