Copper wire reigns supreme in the world of electrical wire, but aluminum wire is still commonly used as an alternative, such as in the case of high-tension power lines and in aluminum triplex wire, used for electrical service entry to structures.

This short post will break down all of the relative advantages and disadvantages of each, by feature.

Aluminum wire is commonly used in place of copper wire for a variety of commercial and residential applications, due in part to several of the advantages that will be covered here.

With that said, as with anything in life, it’s not all positive or negative. Let’s cover the advantages and disadvantages of aluminum wire.

Ever heard the term AWG, as in “6 AWG wire” and not know what it really means? Here’s your crash course. What Is 6 AWG Wire? Let’s start with an example. One of the most common gauges of wire is 6 AWG wire. This stands for &ld

The material from which the conductors within an electrical wire or cable are made will impact its performance, as some materials are far better suited as an electrical conductor than others.

Some materials are conductors (such as those that will be covered here), others are semiconductors (that conduct when conditions are favorable) and others are insulators, which do not conduct electricity readily regardless of conditions.

Security alarm cable, also sometimes called station wire, is a special type of electrical conductor that is used to control security and alarm systems, such as fire alarm systems. Security alarm cable generally is rated to a relatively low voltage and therefore is of a somewhat thin gauge – although this can vary.