Older transmission lines are made from copper cable. What advantages does copper have compared with aluminum? Why is aluminum used to make transmission lines today?

Answer 1

The thermal and electrical properties of copper are both superior to aluminum. It was also easier (cheaper) to obtain. Aluminum is lighter.

Copper has better thermal and electrical qualities than aluminum. It was also less expensive and easier to obtain.

Long-distance transmission lines are structurally better off using aluminum due to its superior weight (lighter) and firmness.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer 2

Naomi Aronson

Although aluminum is used today because it is less expensive and lighter than copper, making it easier and less expensive to install and maintain over long distances, and because it has sufficient conductivity for transmission, copper has advantages over aluminum in transmission lines due to its lower resistance and higher conductivity, which result in less energy loss and higher efficiency.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy

Answer from HIX Tutor

When evaluating a one-sided limit, you need to be careful when a quantity is approaching zero since its sign is different depending on which way it is approaching zero from. Let us look at some examples.