Aluminum wiring used to be the standard when it came to electrical systems. However, now more electricians are moving away from aluminum in favor of copper. Tim Kyle Electric, an Ellicott City electrician, can help you determine the benefits of having copper wiring installed in your home. Read on to learn more.
Benefits of Copper Wiring
Aluminum wiring is less dense than copper, so it is more likely to be damaged when you are having electrical work done in your home. This can be the case if electricians lack the proper skills or tools to complete the necessary work. Also, with aluminum wiring, it’s easier for the conductor to be split when attaching the attachment screw. Copper is more dense and flexible, making it more durable overall.
Also, copper wiring is 38% more conductive than aluminum wiring. This means you can channel much more electricity through copper wiring than aluminum would be able to handle. Because of its greater conductivity, copper requires a smaller gauge of wiring than aluminum. Therefore, copper takes up less space.
In addition, aluminum wiring has a tendency to scale over with time, making it easier for corrosion to get between the wiring and other metals. This greatly reduces the amount of conductivity aluminum writing has. Copper will turn green when corrosion is present, but the corrosion does not detract from its overall connectivity.
Finally, copper requires a much higher level of heat to melt than aluminum. Aluminum wiring, when exposed to excessive heat, can have a negative impact on the conductor. If the aluminum wiring is exposed to heat, it can quickly melt and set anything flammable nearby on fire.
Looking for Ellicott City Electrician?
Replacing your aluminum wiring with copper will help increase the safety of your home and provide you with greater conductivity. Contact the professionals at Tim Kyle Electric today.