0 gauge copper or aluminum?

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.MECP Certified

Dont Ground Out!!!

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 :-(

i am an idiot wrote: If you value your vehicle, use only copper wire.

whats wrong with aluminum?MECP Certified

Dont Ground Out!!!

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.

deeryders wrote: i am an idiot wrote: If you value your vehicle, use only copper wire. whats wrong with aluminum?

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. :PIt all reminds me of something that Molière once said to Guy de Maupassant at a café in Vienna: "That's nice. You should write it down."

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!

In general, don't use aluminum in low-voltage high-current applications.Support the12volt.com

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.

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.