subject: Copper Wiring Lifeline Of Electrical Equipment [print this page] Copper has played a prominent role in our lives as it has been in use since 9000 BC. It was found in a high abundance as it is said to be found on roadside which could be easily spotted as it is red in colour. One earlier example was its use in 1857 by Italian inventor named Antonio Meucci as an electrical conductor for the first operating telephone. Traditionally it has been used widely in home and offices. Due to increasing demand in applications, the price of copper shot up to unprecedented levels in 1960s which led many people to shift to other metals like aluminium.
Copper as a metal shows the properties of being highly ductile, thermal and with high electrical conductivity. This is the reason why you see copper metal being used extensively as a conductor of heat and electricity, in building materials, a part of metal alloys. It is used individually and also produces very useful materials like brass and bronze, when combined with other metals. This combination makes the output harder and stronger than pure copper.
You can see copper almost everywhere around you, it is there in objects such as telephone, pipes and many other electrical appliances. There are some very useful properties that make the use of copper more beneficial it is corrosion resistant, naturally hygienic that prevents growth of germs on itself, it can be easily joined through soldering, copper alloys are strong, it is non-magnetic for use in military applications. The recyclability of metal is very useful as approximately 40% of copper is me through recycled copper.
Here are some of the properties of copper:
Electrical conductivity this provides high electrical resistance and enhances electrical conductivity
Household usage When an electric current passes through copper, there is not much loss of energy and this is the chief reason why copper wire is used in main cables in the houses. If you need to have smaller size, then copper is a good choice. It can also carry a large amount of current without melting
Other applications Copper is easily wound into coils and this creates a magnetic field without much loss of electric current. This enables copper to be used as:
o Electromagnets Electric bells, scrapyard cranes, locks
o Motors Domestic appliances, cars, computers, pumps, entertainment systems
o Dynamos electric power stations, bicycles
o Transformers Adaptors, electric sub-stations, power generation units
Copper is also used to prevent oxidation with the help of nickel plating in environments with high temperature. In other terminals, gold plating is done to curb oxidation. Another interesting use (especially for women) of copper is that it is used for making jewellery mainly due to high malleability and attractive colour. This is also because the copper wire has a longer shelf life. If you are interested in deep-water fishing, then also copper is useful due to its high rate of sinking and strength of metal.
In terms of its availability, copper deposits are found in Chile and the United States.
