This article was posted 01/22/2008 and is most likely outdated.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
This newsletter was sent to 14903 newsletter subscribers
Ask a Question |  Weekly Code Graphic |  Quizzes |  Free Stuff |  Instructors | Online Training |  Products | Seminars | Subscribe | Unsubscribe
[ image1 Post Comments | View Comments | Notify Me When Comments Are Added ] Web Page Version [Printer-Friendly]    

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.

 

 

 
Click here to post a comment
[ View More Newsletters ] [ Send to a Friend ] [ Post Comments | View Comments | Notify Me When Comments Are Added ]

Copyright © Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc. All rights reserved.
This article is protected by United States copyright and other intellectual property laws and may not be
displayed or published on the internet without the prior written permission of Mike Holt Enterprises, Inc.

http://www.MikeHolt.com     1-888-NEC-CODE (1-888-632-2633)

Experiencing a Problem? Click Here
 
Comments

  • I wanted to address the issue of Medical Facilities which never (seem) to shut down. I worked at a hospital for over eight years in California. The hospital was required to have every electrical distribution panel, ATS, VFD, and motor control units Scanned yearly to identify any loose connections and or potential over heating of conductors, contactors or any electrical component found in these enclosures. A detailed report was presented to the facilities manager and potential problems had to be addressed and corrected within a time limit. These tests were required in order to qualify for accreditation and affiliation for certain program funding and was just one component of a whole host of inspections that take place.

    Dave Rongey
Reply to this comment
* Your Name:
   Your name will appear under your comments.

* Your Email:
   Your email address is not displayed.
* Comments:

This newsletter is closed to new comments.

Email Notification Options:
Notify me when a reply is posted to this comment
Notify me whenever a comment is posted to this newsletter