THHN/THWN ALUM WIRE

[Alwayslearningelec]

Why is Al- THHN not made in #8 but THW is? THanks.
They don't make any #10 Al wire????

 

[cdslotz]

Not sure of the answer, but why would you ever want to use #10 or #8 AL anywhere?

 

[jumper]

Those wires are listed in 310.16.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Not sure of the answer, but why would you ever want to use #10 or #8 AL anywhere?

Why not? I am assuming power/lighting branch circuits would not utilize Al.....not sure why though. Maybe you could help me with that, though.

 

[rcwilson]

Aluminum wire in small sizes was used in the 60's and resulted in a lot of overheating problems at terminations. (Some of that was due to no Cu/Al terminals). Solid aluminum wire would break inside the insulation when bent too much, such as when we lifted a #12 control wire off a terminal strip while troubleshooting a motor control problem. It would break without us noticing as we put it back.

We worked for Kaiser Aluminum and were required to use aluminum wire in our plant where ever possible. By 1973 our specs had changed to only use aluminum wire for #1/0 and larger.

The aluminum vs copper cost savings are not worth it in the small sizes. The ratio of copper cost to insulation and fabrication costs is too small. The risk of problems is too great for the small savings. On large sizes, material costs and reduced installation costs due to less weight make it economical and modern termination methods alleviate the risks.

 

[Alwayslearningelec]

Aluminum wire in small sizes was used in the 60's and resulted in a lot of overheating problems at terminations. (Some of that was due to no Cu/Al terminals). Solid aluminum wire would break inside the insulation when bent too much, such as when we lifted a #12 control wire off a terminal strip while troubleshooting a motor control problem. It would break without us noticing as we put it back.

We worked for Kaiser Aluminum and were required to use aluminum wire in our plant where ever possible. By 1973 our specs had changed to only use aluminum wire for #1/0 and larger.

The aluminum vs copper cost savings are not worth it in the small sizes. The ratio of copper cost to insulation and fabrication costs is too small. The risk of problems is too great for the small savings. On large sizes, material costs and reduced installation costs due to less weight make it economical and modern termination methods alleviate the risks.

Thanks a lot!!

 

[cdslotz]

We worked for Kaiser Aluminum and were required to use aluminum wire in our plant where ever possible. By 1973 our specs had changed to only use aluminum wire for #1/0 and larger.

The aluminum vs copper cost savings are not worth it in the small sizes. The ratio of copper cost to insulation and fabrication costs is too small. The risk of problems is too great for the small savings. On large sizes, material costs and reduced installation costs due to less weight make it economical and modern termination methods alleviate the risks.

Yep and yep