The problem with Al is that, IF there is ever a loose connection, & associated arcing, that it melts not like copper in the same situation which may arc but not melt.
I have come in on OG jobs where Al was employed and found J boxes that were [sometimes wet] and had loose connections and the splice was charred/melted and the AL wire was not conducting & melted beyond use, directly at the splice. The rubber linemen's tape was charred and there was a direct short to the metal box which was at least grounded correctly. I tend not to use Al based on this experience. Thanks, Dana Orzel Great Solar Works, Inc E - d...@solarwork.com V - 970.626.5253 F - 970.626.4140 C - 970.209.4076 web - www.solarwork.com "Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988" -----Original Message----- From: re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org [mailto:re-wrenches-boun...@lists.re-wrenches.org] On Behalf Of R Ray Walters Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 7:46 AM To: RE-wrenches Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] calculating DC voltage drop I try to keep it in copper for DC, as I had always heard of trouble with Aluminum on DC. (True or Old Wrenches Tale?) We definitely go to Al on long AC runs, as its whats available, and the cost difference becomes remarkable. I've seen small cuts in Al, later corrode completely through the conductor.(AC run) I'm not sure what would happen it were DC. Probably depend on whether it was positive or negative, and which was bonded to ground? (either accelerate the corrosion, or act as cathodic protection?) R. Walters r...@solarray.com Solar Engineer _______________________________________________ List sponsored by Home Power magazine List Address: RE-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org Options & settings: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/options.cgi/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List-Archive: http://lists.re-wrenches.org/pipermail/re-wrenches-re-wrenches.org List rules & etiquette: www.re-wrenches.org/etiquette.htm Check out participant bios: www.members.re-wrenches.org
