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 Topic: 0 gauge copper or aluminum?
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deeryders
Joined: November 08, 2011
Location:
New York,
United States
Posts: 35 |
| Posted: February 03, 2012 at 7:12 PM - IP Logged |
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Which one will let more current. I have always been under the impression copper is the best and nothing but, however now some people or telling me other wise. Thanks Guys.
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Former Best Buy Lead Installer Store 454 Westbury.
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i am an idiot
Joined: September 21, 2006
Location:
Louisiana,
United States
Posts: 10,454 |
| Posted: February 03, 2012 at 9:30 PM - IP Logged |
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If you value your vehicle, use only copper wire. |
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equilibrium1990
Joined: January 13, 2012
Location:
Australia
Posts: 51 |
| Posted: February 03, 2012 at 10:31 PM - IP Logged |
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| I have heard that using CCA(Copper Coated Aluminum) 0 Gauge is equivalent to using 2 Gauge true copper, Shame that I just got 50 feet of 0Ga CCA :-( |
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deeryders
Joined: November 08, 2011
Location:
New York,
United States
Posts: 35 |
| Posted: February 03, 2012 at 11:03 PM - IP Logged |
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i am an idiot wrote:
If you value your vehicle, use only copper wire. |
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whats wrong with aluminum?
___________________________________
Former Best Buy Lead Installer Store 454 Westbury.
Dont Ground Out .. |
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91stt
Joined: May 24, 2006
Location:
New Jersey,
United States
Posts: 488 |
| Posted: February 03, 2012 at 11:13 PM - IP Logged |
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Copper is the second least resistive material. Only silver possess a lower resistivity.
As a general rule, copper clad aluminum needs to be two gauge sizes larger to pass the same amount of current as copper.
___________________________________
This information is provided only as a reference.
All circuits should be verified with a digital multi-meter prior to making any connections. |
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haemphyst
Joined: January 19, 2003
Location:
Bouvet Island
Posts: 4,983 |
| Posted: February 04, 2012 at 9:44 AM - IP Logged |
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deeryders wrote:
i am an idiot wrote:
If you value your vehicle, use only copper wire. |
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whats wrong with aluminum? |
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I second the question... If the aluminum wire is adequately sized, then there is no difference between aluminum or copper. They're both perfectly usable conductors.
As long as the proper concessions are made, then I think that the "if you value your vehicle" statement is a little bit strong. :P
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That... was... (faints from epicness) |
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oldspark
Joined: November 03, 2008
Location:
Australia
Posts: 2,856 |
| Posted: February 04, 2012 at 3:33 PM - IP Logged |
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But you need a larger gauge of Al.
To answer the OP - copper. Just compare electrical conductivity tables.
Aluminium conducts more per weight, but not per gauge.
And aluminium fatigues & breaks easier, i trickier to terminate etc,
COPPER! |
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DYohn
Joined: April 22, 2003
Location:
Arizona,
United States
Posts: 10,114 |
| Posted: February 04, 2012 at 6:55 PM - IP Logged |
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In general, don't use aluminum in low-voltage high-current applications.
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equilibrium1990
Joined: January 13, 2012
Location:
Australia
Posts: 51 |
| Posted: February 05, 2012 at 4:16 AM - IP Logged |
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| To lightly jack the OP's thread, Will it be ok to use the 50foot roll of 0Gauge CCA I have just purchased for running 1500-1600RMS off? I currently have 4Gauge copper run and it powers it nicely, I just wanted to put 0Gauge in for piece of mind. |
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oldspark
Joined: November 03, 2008
Location:
Australia
Posts: 2,856 |
| Posted: February 07, 2012 at 3:19 AM - IP Logged |
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In terms of conductivity:
Conductivity:
CCA = 2.74 Ohms cm (63)
Cu = 1.72 Ohms cm (100)
Resistance of CCA = 2.74/1.74 = 1.6 that of Cu. (CCA has 1.74/2.74 = 63% the conductivity of Cu.)
Dimensions:
0G = 8.25246 mmD = 53.5 mm2
4G = 5.18922mmD = 21.14 mm2
0G has 53.5/21.14 = 2.53 times the area of 4G. (Conductivity is proportional to area.)
2.53 x .63 = 1.6 x the conductivity (of 0G CCA for 4G Cu).
(Or 1/1.6 = 0.63 the resistance of 4G Cu.)
So, electrically you are better off with the CCA.
Whether you should use CCA is another matter. |
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