There are a number of risks involved when employing aluminum wiring for the facility. Therefore, a fully qualified inspector is such a necessity to minimize any incidents, especially when repairs should be done. During such times, there is big chance of exposure to electrical failure.
Its important to consider the properties involved in aluminum conductors as well as the manufacturing changes in order to avoid encountering such problems. Old conductors are always prone to risks. However, even the new ones have their own hazards.
There are many different categories for aluminum alloys. The basic is the 1000 series. The 2000 series has copper as the major alloying element while the 3000 series has manganese. Other series designations use zinc, silicon, magnesium and a combination of silicon and magnesium as the major alloying elements.
One of the most common problems in using aluminum wiring is oxidation. The conductor quickly develops an oxide layer and this layer has a very high electrical resistance. With oxidation, a barrier is formed on the surface of the conductor and thus, further oxidation is prevented with the blockage of additional oxygen. However, it is the electrical resistance of the oxide layer that generates problems in the application of the electrical distribution. It is so high that in some environments where the temperature is also high, the aluminum oxide acts like an electrical insulator.
When fretting corrosion occurs, the trouble with oxidation becomes even worse. Problems such as erosion and corrosion affect the interaction of the aluminum with other metals in forming the compound. This yields to high electrical resistance.
After an extended period of time, a common failure with the aluminum wiring also occurs. When there is a splice or termination made with the conductors, the oxidation layer is disturbed and enough current flow is permitted. With the reformation of the layer, the electrical resistance of the connection tends to increase.
This behavior is affected by the rise in temperature that results to thermal expansion. This occurrence also contributes to fretting corrosion and loosens up the connection. With the elevation of the temperature, the insulation covering the conductors is damaged. Thus, there is a fault to the receptacle box or grounded enclosure as with contact with other conductors.
There are still a number of industrial facilities that use large aluminum conductors in the electrical distribution. Even with all the hazards involved, how these materials are applied determines how likely failure occurs. That is why it is of utmost importance to conduct an informed inspection of the facility.
Its important to consider the properties involved in aluminum conductors as well as the manufacturing changes in order to avoid encountering such problems. Old conductors are always prone to risks. However, even the new ones have their own hazards.
There are many different categories for aluminum alloys. The basic is the 1000 series. The 2000 series has copper as the major alloying element while the 3000 series has manganese. Other series designations use zinc, silicon, magnesium and a combination of silicon and magnesium as the major alloying elements.
One of the most common problems in using aluminum wiring is oxidation. The conductor quickly develops an oxide layer and this layer has a very high electrical resistance. With oxidation, a barrier is formed on the surface of the conductor and thus, further oxidation is prevented with the blockage of additional oxygen. However, it is the electrical resistance of the oxide layer that generates problems in the application of the electrical distribution. It is so high that in some environments where the temperature is also high, the aluminum oxide acts like an electrical insulator.
When fretting corrosion occurs, the trouble with oxidation becomes even worse. Problems such as erosion and corrosion affect the interaction of the aluminum with other metals in forming the compound. This yields to high electrical resistance.
After an extended period of time, a common failure with the aluminum wiring also occurs. When there is a splice or termination made with the conductors, the oxidation layer is disturbed and enough current flow is permitted. With the reformation of the layer, the electrical resistance of the connection tends to increase.
This behavior is affected by the rise in temperature that results to thermal expansion. This occurrence also contributes to fretting corrosion and loosens up the connection. With the elevation of the temperature, the insulation covering the conductors is damaged. Thus, there is a fault to the receptacle box or grounded enclosure as with contact with other conductors.
There are still a number of industrial facilities that use large aluminum conductors in the electrical distribution. Even with all the hazards involved, how these materials are applied determines how likely failure occurs. That is why it is of utmost importance to conduct an informed inspection of the facility.
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