Aluminum quadruplex wire is commonly used for power service entry and distribution to homes and small businesses, as opposed to copper wire, primarily because it is more cost-effective. 

This post will take a closer look at two of the main reasons it is superior on relative grounds to copper, one of which has already been broached. 

Cost 

At the end of the day, this is far and away the main reason that aluminum quadruplex wire (and for that matter, triplex wire) are used instead of copper for the purpose of power service entry to homes and businesses. 

Copper is significantly more expensive than aluminum, especially for electrical wire, and it would cost on the order of several times more to use copper for power service entry in most cases than it would cost to use aluminum. 

This is significant considering some of the relative weaknesses of aluminum. It is less dense, lacks the tensile strength, and cannot undergo the same number of stress cycles as copper, which makes copper generally more durable. 

It is also not as effective as an electrical conductor; strictly speaking, copper is more efficient at carrying a current at a given voltage than aluminum is, even though technically aluminum’s conductivity to weight is actually better. 

Regardless, the lower cost of aluminum is the main reason it is used to manufacture triplex and quadruplex wire; even if the other relative advantages didn’t matter, for cost alone aluminum would be used in preference to copper. 

Weight 

The weight of aluminum wire, not just triplex and quadruplex wire, is another important advantage here. For one thing, the lighter weight of aluminum makes it much easier to handle and work into position. Installation with aluminum wires is, therefore, more amenable than installation of copper wires. This factor becomes even more apparent as the gauge of the wire increases. 

But weight is interesting here because it is also a complement to cost. The higher weight of copper means that it also costs more to transport it, which doubles down on its higher costs. Aluminum, by contrast, being lighter is easier to ship. So that alone further reduces the expense of aluminum wire. 

The Other Bonuses

While cost and weight (which in some ways reduces back to cost) are two of the biggest relative advantages of aluminum wire over copper wire, there are some other benefits as well: 

• Aluminum has a higher conductivity to weight ratio than copper.
• Aluminum, though it is not as strong as copper, is highly malleable and flexible. 
• Aluminum can be better in some corrosive environments. 
• Being lighter, it is better for aerial installations as long as the appropriate wire is used. 

All in all, these are some of the main reasons that aluminum wire is often preferred to copper conductors. 

Where to Get Aluminum Quadruplex Wire 

In the market for high quality aluminum quadruplex wire? Check out EWCS Wire first. They carry triplex and quadruplex wire along with a wide range of other specialty aluminum electrical wires, cables and conductors. Visit their website and if you need additional assistance get in touch with them for more information.

For more information about Electric Wire Cable and Welding Cable Supply Please visit: Electrical Wire & Cable Specialists.