This article was posted 01/22/2008 and is most likely outdated.

Aluminum – The Other Conductor – Revisited
 

 

Subject - Aluminum – The Other Conductor – Revisited

January 22, 2008
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Aluminum – The Other Conductor – Revisited

 

imageLast March we sent out a newsletter titled Aluminum – The Other Conductor. This was a hot topic which received many comments and sparked a lot of discussion. A newsletter member recently posed an inquiry sparked by this newsletter and we thought it best to send this to all of you in the hopes that he may get his question answered:

 

 

I have just breezed through parts of this forum and the comment Mar 24-07 2041hrs EDT is one that resonated with my current ponderance relating to the increasing pressures in our industry to re-accept aluminum bus in high current (3000-7000 amp) switchboard equipment. I work in a large institutional organization that has 100+ Multistorey buildings and an aggressive building program at present. Historically we have wanted only tin or silver plated copper bussing in equipment. Now the Sales & Consultant pressure is on from a cost, availability and delivery standpoint to go all out aluminum.


My concern is that many boards once energized are never shutdown for maintenance. They run for decades with intense occupant pressure (particularly where medical procedures are performed) never to shut down.

Now tin or silver plated aluminum are being fiercely promoted and argued to be safe. In the kinds of circumstances indicated above and in the March 24. 07 posting - I fear that short term interests may lead to big problems for us down the road.

My inquiry is: Are there any scientific or historic studies that offer support either for or against aluminum and have current technological advances eliminated the concerns of the past for: bus to bus, bus to breaker, breaker to cable connections in the aluminum world?

Please offer comment - publication / study info - thanks!

 

Simply post your comments to this newsletter as usual and this inquirer will receive them.

 

 

 
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Comments

  • I agree with your concerns, however, as others have posted the Aluminum material is not the problem. The real problem is with the connection points. As you pointed out, two areas where I have seen Aluminum to be most problematic are the breaker-to-bus, and breaker (or did you mean bus) to cable. The termination points. If not properly installed by qualified persons, you will have trouble. Along with this goes maintenance. I would think your institution should have an agressive maintenance program, especially when Life Safety is concerned.

    Quality workmanship and proper maintenance should ensure a long reliable life for the facility....and satify the bean counters.

    WAB
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