Electrical Panel Debate: Copper vs. Aluminum

If you’re seeing corrosion on the breaker switches, the circuit breakers are constantly failing, or your lights are frequently flickering, it may be time for an electrical panel upgrade. Once this decision has been made, what now? Now it’s time to investigate the variety of options that will bring your home the most efficiency. Here, we’ll be looking into why copper wiring is a much safer option than aluminum.

1. Conductivity: Aluminum has roughly 61 percent of the conductivity that copper has, thus electricity is able to pass through copper wiring much easier. Another perk of this high level of conductivity is the ability of the electrical current to travel farther. Smaller conductors can be used when installing copper wiring too, which creates a less demanding installation process.
2. Durability: Due to the fact that copper is much stronger than aluminum, it’s less susceptible to nicks or breakage. Copper is extremely resilient and can be exposed to high-stress levels with hardly any signs of wear and tear. This stability makes it an optimal electrical wiring choice.
3. Less Expansion & Contraction: When an electrical current passes through aluminum, it expands. This constant expansion and contraction can result in the wiring to overheat, leading to house fires. In fact, it’s been reported by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission that electrical panels wired with aluminum are 55 times more likely to be associated with hazardous fire conditions when compared to copper.

Aluminum is often chosen because it’s a less expensive metal than copper, but it’s not worth the safety risks. Also, copper wiring needs to be inspected much less than aluminum. Generally speaking, copper wiring should be inspected every 20 years and aluminum every 5. This is another indicator that copper is a much more efficient option for the electrical wiring of your home or business. Homes built in the mid-1960s to mid-1970s often installed aluminum wiring due to the inexpensiveness. If your home was built during this period, and you’re experiencing electrical wiring problems or haven’t had it inspected, it may be time for an electrical panel upgrade. 

For all your electrical wiring needs, contact our talented licensed electricians. Proudly serving Buffalo, NY, M & M Electric Construction Company has the expertise necessary to safely install or repair all forms of wiring. Contact us today!