The conductor made of bare copper has many advantages over other kinds of wire, like corrosion resistance and high conductivity. Let’s review what a bare copper conductor is and why it’s a very well-liked option to conduct electrical cables.
What is a bare copper conductor?
The bare conductor is an electrical wire not protected or insulated in any other substance. This makes it suitable for use in various applications in which electrical wiring is exposed, like in electrical panels or the interior of appliances.
Conductors made of bare copper are also commonly employed in outdoor installations since the metal is impervious to corrosion. One of the primary benefits of using conductors made of bare copper is that they’re highly efficient in transferring electricity. This makes them suitable for high-voltage applications where power must be moved swiftly and efficiently.
In addition, bare copper conductors are relatively cheap, making them extremely popular in many industrial and commercial uses.
What are the features and benefits of bare copper conductors?
Copper is among the best materials for electrical conductors because of its excellent thermal and electrical conductivity. One of the primary steps in drawing the wire is to make an unfinished copper conductor. This is usually accomplished by moving a large chunk of the copper rod through smaller dies.
The last process is to make the wire anneal, which improves the flexibility of the wire. After the wire has been drawn and annealed, it can be used without coating or with a different material to increase corrosion resistance. The advantages of using a copper conductor that is bare include its low resistance as well as its easy soldering. In addition, copper is a recyclable material, which means it is an ideal option from an environmental perspective.
Stranded copper conductors that are soft or annealed work well for direct burial. They don’t have the corrosion issues which aluminum conductors suffer from. Copper is twice as strong as aluminum. Copper is more suited to join and terminate at joints and splices.
Application
Stranded Class 2 copper wire BS EN 60228 / IEC 60228 cables are non-insulated and not sheathed soft-drawn copper according to BS 6360/81.
Stranded copper conductors, whether annealed or soft, are recommended to use as neutrals for circuit ground connections and equipment and machinery grounding systems. Soft copper can connect transformer drop leads or hook-up jumpers without tension.
Construction
Compressed concentric-lay-stranded copper conductors are composed of helically wrapped wires encircling the central straight wire. Each layer contains six wires higher than the layer directly beneath.
More flexibility can be achieved by using Class 2 Stranding. For the layer that is in front, it is the left-hand lay. In the 7,19 and 37 wire constructions, the direction of lay for every subsequent layer reverses.
Construction Parameters
Types of conductors made from bare copper
There are numerous conductors made of copper, each with its characteristic. The most popular conductor is pure copper, made of one rod composed of pure copper. This kind of conductor is extraordinarily durable and resistant to damage. However, it is also expensive.
Another type of conductor is called stranded copper, which comprises small strands made of copper. This kind of conductor has more flexibility than pure copper, which makes it perfect for applications that require flexibility.
There is also tinned copper, including a thin tin layer that is applied onto the copper’s surface. This improves the conductor’s resistance against corrosion, which makes it a good option for applications in extreme conditions.
