#flat copper wire

Power cables are an important component of any electrical system. They are vastly used for transmitting electric signals. This is done in high frequency to reduce losses and saving power. It is an assemblage of one or more electric conductors used for transmission of electric power. They are widely used as permanent wiring in buildings, run overhead, or underground.

There are several types of cables being manufactured to cater to the different requirements in the industry. The selection must be done considering the technical specifications of the cable.  

The two most popular categories of power cables are the

1. HT cables: They are used for long distance wiring and transporting. The powerhouses are situated in some remote locations away from the city for safety purposes. Being resource intensive, they are kept at height to avoid thefts of material as well as power.

2: LT Cables: Another popularly used cable meant for low voltage transmission. They are mainly used in residential and commercial places transmitting electricity from the substations. They are prone to damage as risks of losing power in transportation are possible.

Types of cables:

The power cables can be made in different types and because of the variety in sizes and shapes, it can get very complicated when in use. They include

Single     conductors: They are very flexible and come with different voltage     insulations and amps. The price varies according to the size and shape.     They are applied in locomotive cabling, DLO, entertainment and stage     lighting.

The     DLO cables are slightly rigid and have the capacity to carry upto 2000     volts enclosed in copper strands and rubber jackets

Welding     cables come with flexible copper strands and can carry upto 600 volts.

Multi     conductor cables are used in extension cords, SOOW cables and cords, type     G-GC, portable cords, and type W cords. The SOOW cords can be used like     the extension cords if the plugs are not added to the ends. They are     vastly used to supply power to generators etc while working on outdoor     jobs.

How to buy:

There are many manufacturers that produce power cables and cords out to meet the varying demands. It is important that you use the right cord, or it could be dangerous as well as may not work perfectly. It is recommended to take the suggestion of a qualified electrician before taking a decision on what you are intending to use it for. Do not compromise on quality just to get the cables in low prices.  

Nickel copper alloys:

Unlike the rounded cables which had always been used by electrical engineers, the flat copper wire and other flat cables came into use much later. These were introduced mainly to address the demands of aerospace applications. To improve their product performance, packaging, manufacturing etc, engineers started using the flat cables more widely.

Why should you use the flat copper wire?

The flat cables have many advantages to offer. Flexibility is integral to any application which involves a lot of movements like automated equipments for medical diagnosis or robotics. In a flat cable, since the conductors are kept aligned on a flat plane, therefore their bend radius is much less than that of a regular round cable. When there are many repeated bending cycles, the conductors inside a round cable may corkscrew and cause failure. But, a flat cable on the other hand, offers more durability and a better flex cycle. So, for the applications which have small bend radius and where there is heavy flex cycling, flat cables are always preferable.

When you choose the flat copper wire, you can also save on space because it will take up nearly half the area taken up by a round copper wire. Besides, the flat cable is constructed such that there is much less fillers and tapes and no unnecessary insulating materials. The flat copper wire cross section can be conveniently reduced to only bear the current load.

Since the space between conductors is fixed and the geometry of flat cables remains unchanged, electrical properties like time delay, inductance, capacitance, impedance and attenuation remain constant. Besides, the flat wires also have higher capacity to carry current. They have higher surface-to-volume ratios compared to their rounded counterparts and this ensures higher heat dissipating efficiency.

Since conductors have the same electrical and physical length together with a consistent dielectric the time delays between flat cable signals is reduced. The flat cable also has the power to cut down the numbers of separate conductors and different kinds of conductors like twisted conductors, shielded and non-shielded conductors etc can be combined in a single cable. This property of the flat copper wire is useful because it simplifies design, installation and maintenance.

Flat copper wire is a good conductor of electricity and is vastly preferred over the other forms of copper and its alloys. This type of copper wires is more organized and uncluttered than the normal copper wires. This wire is rolled in rectangular and square shapes.  It retains all the properties of copper and is one reason why it is preferred over other metals. Copper is known for its resistance to heat. It combines well with other metals like nickel, brass, bronze to form strong alloys.

There are several reasons why it is used in almost all types of applications.

It is highly reliable:

Flat copper wire is highly durable. The wire is robust and flexible. It can be used in applications reducing any scope of errors and lowering the risks of interruptions and failures. Hence, it is extensively used where there is need for flexing like in rotating applications, doors, table drawers etc.

Easy to carry and low in weight:

Since they are applied without the use of any insulation material, filler or tape unlike most of the other variants of copper wires, the overall weight is not increased in any manner.

Needs lesser space:

Since the flat copper wire does not use any other external attachment like insulation, filler or tape, the length or width remains constant. Thus, the space it requires also remains the same. Stacking and piling are much easier as it retains the rectangular/ square shape.

Resistance to corrosion:

The wire does not corrode easily. It can last long and is widely applied in both commercial and home appliances. Several industries depend on this wire and you can find them in vast use in audio/stereo music gadgets, low-voltage lights, home theatre appliances and similar. The flat wires offer good resistance to heat, humidity, and water. Hence, automotive and shipbuilding manufacturers depend on it for use in all types of vehicles-trucks, buses, ships, boats and many similar.

Easy to manage:

The flat copper wire can easily regulate to all types of hardship. You can bend, fold, and use on any level surface. The can easily attach like an adhesive to any type of surface. You only must remove the layer and press it to the surface. This allows the users to customize it the way they require for their applications.  They can be neatly stacked up removing all risks of tripping or accidents, unlike the standard cables which typically must be kept on the ground.  

PVC: