Copper Clad Aluminum - Not Heard Much Lately. Saw a large pile for sale on FB Marketplace.

[Birken Vogt]

I was browsing Marketplace and saw somebody has a huge pile of modern Copperweld CCA for sale by the roll.

Pretty sure Copperweld wants it only distributed by their own channels.

I saw a forum post somewhere that said some big tract builders, who seem to be the primary users, went back to solid copper.

Is it falling out of favor? Did this guy steal it thinking it was copper and now trying to fence it? Somebody went out of business?

I'm surprised it is not really catching on now that copper is sky high.

 

[ron]

In large buildings, we switched most feeders to AL already, so the unique nature of CCA might not be worth the cost unless there is a termination only listed for CU, then you use the ampacity of AL, but can terminate as if it is CU.

 

[pipe_bender]

Is it falling out of favor? Did this guy steal it thinking it was copper and now trying to fence it? Somebody went out of business?

Here in MA my guess is its home insurance industry. They have taken hit after hit and are tightening up.
GC's tell me there is a whole list of stuff you can build but not insure or they will insure you at a price.

 

[Birken Vogt]

In large buildings, we switched most feeders to AL already, so the unique nature of CCA might not be worth the cost unless there is a termination only listed for CU, then you use the ampacity of AL, but can terminate as if it is CU.

I think the only benefit is for wiring homes, to take the place of copper 14-12 branch circuits. Otherwise I agree, we are already all aluminum for everything larger than that.

And I guess branch circuits for large buildings if they would accept it. But with specs the way they are, I doubt it. Especially because I like to use stranded when in conduit, and I think most others do too.

Here in MA my guess is its home insurance industry. They have taken hit after hit and are tightening up.
GC's tell me there is a whole list of stuff you can build but not insure or they will insure you at a price.

I have not heard any reports of CCA yes or no from the insurance side, I think its current use may be too new. I am talking about a phenomenon that has only been happening the past 5 years or so.

 

[AC\DC]

Not worth the cost and added labor for accounting for box fill, so you have to route different. And special connectors not worth it

 

[electrofelon]

Doesn't seem worth it to me either. OTOH, ive seen people go to amazing lengths and cut corners to save what to me seems like an insignificant amount of money. To each their own.

 

[LarryFine]

Thank you, no.