Copper-clad aluminum

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Various copper-clad aluminum conductors

Copper -clad aluminum ( English copper-clad aluminum , abbreviated to CCA ) refers to copper- coated ( clad ) conductor wire made of aluminum . In the GDR the material was known as ALCU cable .

properties

Cables made of CCA can be manufactured and offered at lower costs compared to pure copper cables, since aluminum is available more cheaply than copper.

Another advantage is the low density of aluminum. Despite the required higher cross-sectional area (see below), CCA cables are lighter than full copper cables with the same electrical conductivity.

In the GDR , ALCU cables were also manufactured and used because copper was only available to a very limited extent.

When processed, aluminum is much more brittle than copper, so that CCA conductors break easily when bent.

conductivity

Since aluminum has a higher specific resistance than copper, larger conductor cross-sections are necessary with CCA for given conductance values ​​or load capacities. The factor for pure copper lines is around 1.6; a copper line with a cross section of 1.5 mm² corresponds electrically to a CCA line with a cross section of 2.5 mm². This again limits the cost advantage and can also be a disadvantage when laying in tight spaces, especially since CCA conductors should not be bent sharply because of the risk of breakage.

At high frequency (eg. B. lines coaxial cable ), the higher resistance is less important, since due to the effect skin of the current mostly flows in the copper-clad outer portion of the cable. In this respect, CCA does not represent a quality disadvantage here.

If CCA conductors with cross-sections calculated for copper conductors are used in an electrical installation - which is a gross technical error - the higher electrical resistance can lead to excessive heating and a cable fire .

See also

Individual evidence

  1. ^ VDE: Chronicle of Electrical Engineering
  2. ^ Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA). Retrieved June 16, 2014 .
  3. ^ Aluminum Electrical Wiring Recognition, Hazards, Repairs - Bibliography. In: inspectapedia.com. Retrieved August 6, 2016 .