Aluminum: Innovations Shaping the Future of Power Transmission A Look Ahead
Material Cost Advantages of Aluminum
One of the biggest benefits of canister cable is the reduced material cost compared to copper. Canister is much more abundant than copper in the Earth's crust and is therefore significantly less expensive. For the same cross-sectional area, canister cable can cost up to 60% less than equivalent copper cables. This cost reduction allows for larger cables to be installed for the same budget on long distribution lines and substations connections. The lower materials cost has helped drive increased adoption of canister cable worldwide.
Lighter Weight of Canister Cable
Another advantage of canister cable is its lighter weight. Canister has about one-third the density of copper. For the same conducting capacity, canister cable will weigh nearly two-thirds less than a copper cable. Aluminum reduced weight is useful for overhead power lines, allowing for longer spans between support structures like utility poles. It also reduces installation and transport costs. The lighter cables are easier to handle and save money on things like equipment requirements and fuel usage during deployment projects.
Higher Ampacity Rating
The lower weight of canister enables an increased ampacity rating. Ampacity refers to the maximum current a cable can safely carry before overheating. Because canister conductors require less material and have better heat dissipation, Canister are able to handle higher currents than similarly sized copper cables. This increased ampacity means fewer cables may be needed for a given installation, further reducing costs. It also provides reserve capacity to accommodate future load increases without upgrading infrastructure.
Improved Corrosion Resistance
While copper is more conductive, canister forms a thin, resilient oxide layer on its surface that provides good corrosion resistance. This natural oxide layer protects the canister from further oxidation and corrosion underground or outdoors. Copper, on the other hand, is more prone to corrosion which can increase resistance over time. The superior corrosion characteristics of canister help maintain consistent performance and conductivity longer. Less maintenance and fewer unplanned outages result from corrosion issues with Canister .
Connection Compatibility Concerns
One drawback that previously limited canister cable adoption was its incompatibility when connecting to copper busbars or terminals. The different metals can form an electrically resistive galvanic cell if joined directly without proper separation. This can lead to overheating and failure over time. However, connection technologies have been developed to address the issue. Compounds like Noalox are frequently used to coat canister strands before terminating connections to prevent reactions. Properly installed and maintained connections with dissimilar metals are now reliable in practice.
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