Uses of Aluminium wire

Aluminium wire (also spelled as aluminum wire), is largely used by domestic, commercial and industrial feeders. This type of wiring is relatively lighter, cheap and more flexible than its counterparts (including copper wire). However, aluminium wire can result in fire and therefore excessive care should be taken towards proper installation and termination methods and materials. A less cheap, but more effective alternative is the copper clad aluminium wire (abbreviated as CCAW or CCA). It is composed of inner core of aluminium and an outer covering of copper. CCAW is less hazardous than pure aluminium wire and weighs far less than the copper wire.

Uses of Aluminium wire

In construction industry

Aluminium is an excellent alternative to copper and is largely used in the manufacture of building wires. Electricians and contractors use large sizes of aluminium building wire where there is requirement of low voltage. This is more beneficial to contractors in terms of savings as it has half the weight of copper wire. Aluminium conductors for building wire are made in such a manner that the overall diameter of the aluminium wire is similar to that of copper wire.

In Electrical distribution industry

Utilities such as electrical distribution companies have been extensively using aluminum wire throughout their distributing systems (power grids) for transmission of electric current.

In communication industry

The copper clad aluminium wire is primarily used in high quality coils, power cables and antennas. The aluminium-copper combination finds its use in commercial as well as residential applications including household wiring, cable wiring, headphones, loudspeakers and antennas. CCAW are also used to help connect the internet to the computer. They are important components of cable modems and television connections as well as Ethernet connections (that is, LAN and WAN).

In broadcasting networks

Modern broadcasting networks (radio and television) largely rely on aluminium wire (CCAW) for information broadcast. Basically, two forms of radio networks are known- the first form is used for broadcasting and updates, advertising and marketing whereas the other form is the backbone of police and armed forces (used for communicating with each other). Television broadcasting involves transmitting signals through cable and satellite television.

In submarine communications

Aluminium wires clad with copper provide a great means of submarine communication and are installed below the floor of the ocean to expedite the process of information transfer across the globe.

In medical field

Aluminium wire finds also its use in medical science instruments that are involved in diagnostic processes such as medical ultrasonography.