Compact to Improve Conversion & Material Cost of Aluminum Conductors
Compiled by the editors at Wire & Cable Technology International
Kevin Dancy, Sales Manager, Roteq Machinery Inc., Concord, Ontario, Canada, says, “The recent increase in the price of copper is driving substitution to aluminum conductors. Aluminum’s disadvantage is that it requires a larger cross-section than copper to carry the same current. Aluminum conductors are larger than copper conductors for the same application. For the cable manufacturer, this drives an increase consumption of insulating and jacketing compounds. Cable installers may be required to install a larger conduit than they would with copper conductors. Compacting the aluminum conductors mitigates these concerns.
“Roteq Machinery’s Roll Forming of Individual Strand technology shapes the individual strands to produce compact aluminum conductors. This technology is installed in-line with the strander and is applicable to any type of strander. The compact conductors produced are smaller in diameter, requiring less insulation and jacketing compound.