Copper wires play a crucial role in the cable industry. Here are some key points:
Electrical Wiring in Buildings:
Copper is widely used for electrical wiring in buildings. Roughly half of all mined copper is used to manufacture electrical wire and cable conductors1.
It is the most important market for the copper industry.
Copper wires are used for power generation, transmission, distribution, telecommunications, and electronic circuitry.
Properties of Copper:
High Electrical Conductivity: Copper has the highest electrical conductivity among non-precious metals. Its electrical resistivity is approximately 16.78 nΩ·m at 20°C.
Long Mean Free Path: Copper’s mean free path (distance between collisions) is long, making it an excellent conductor.
Annealed Copper Standard: Annealed copper is the international standard for electrical conductors, exceeding 100% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard).
Copper Grades: Electrolytic-tough pitch (ETP) copper and oxygen-free copper are commonly used for electrical applications.
Networking and Telecommunications:
In telecommunications, copper wires are used for telephone and internet cables, transmitting data, voice, and video signals over long distances.
Common forms of copper cabling in networking include twisted pair cables (Unshielded Twisted Pair – UTP and Shielded Twisted Pair – STP) and coaxial cables3.
Advantages of Copper Wire:
High Electrical Conductivity: Minimizes energy loss during transmission.
Flexibility: Easy bending and shaping, simplifying installation in complex systems.
