Ever Wonder

in the Air?

Why There’s No Copper

Since the early 1900s, aluminum and aluminum alloy

conductor materials have been used by electrical utility

companies for the transmission of electrical power

within power grids across the country. In fact, over the

years, aluminum has largely displaced copper conductors

for these functions and has become the standard material

for use in power transmission and distribution.

If you’ve ever wondered why there’s no copper in the

air, it’s because aluminum is the superior choice in

every way. For starters, aluminum features twice the

ampacity per pound as copper. In addition, it’s lighter,

more ﬂexible, and more corrosion-resistant. And it’s

much more cost-effective. As an example, if you’re

an electron going all the way from say, Denver to

Albuquerque, on the grid – you’re going to use the

aluminum power highway.

Thanks to a specially engineered aluminum alloy,

General Cable’s STABILOY

Brand feeder and service

entrance cables now make it possible for commercial

and residential users to enjoy the same reliability and

economic advantages as power utilities.

Pound for pound, aluminum has twice the ampacity of

copper. This example proves it:

Consider these conductors: 500 kcmil aluminum alloy

and 350 kcmil copper.

The 350 kcmil copper and 500 kcmil STABILOY Brand

have the same allowable ampacity (in fact, the 350

kcmil copper and the 500 kcmil STABILOY

Brand both

carry 310A at 75°C per the NEC

The 350 kcmil copper weighs nearly twice as much

as the 500 kcmil STABILOY Brand. A 350 kcmil copper

conductor weighs 1715 kg/km, whereas a 500 kcmil

STABILOY Brand conductor weighs 810 kg/km.

Now that’s the power of STABILOY Brand aluminum

alloy conductors!

Aluminum: Twice the Ampacity of Copper

500 kcmil

Aluminum Alloy

350 kcmil Copper