Aluminum triplex wire is in high demand as the demand for housing and new construction surges across the country and to a degree, around the world. This in turn is one of the primary demand drivers for aluminum wire in general and triplex wire specifically.
But what is it and how is it used? This short post will look into that.
Where It’s Used
Aluminum triplex wire is commonly used for power service entry to buildings. That is, it communicates power from the grid to buildings. It is commonly used for residences but it can be used in commercial and communal applications as well.
The two broad classes of triplex wire are aerial and underground triplex wire. Aerial triplex is intended to be suspended from a power line to a home, and underground wire is approved for burial in situations in which overhead power transmission is not present.
Why It’s Made from Aluminum
The main reason that triplex wire is made from aluminum is cost. Copper is significantly more expensive than aluminum and if copper were used for power service entry it would add several thousand dollars to the cost of each new building serviced, if not more.
In addition to the fact that aluminum is much cheaper than copper, it is also a lot lighter. This means that, at least for aerial installations, it is much more cost-effective and practical to use aluminum as the weight of copper would incur a lot of stresses on the structures that bore it. Aluminum is much more practical for aerial installation for this reason.
Is Triplex Wire Insulated?
Triplex wire is generally insulated (except for the one bare conductor) and XLPE, or cross-linked polyethylene, is commonly used for the application.
The reason this polymer is used for insulation here is that it is both physically and chemically durable and it is highly stable, even in outdoor installations. It protects against moisture, light, weather, and a variety of other chemical factors thereby providing a high degree of protection to the cables it insulates.
What Is an ACSR?
If you look into aluminum triplex wire you may come across the acronym “ACSR” which stands for “aluminum conductor steel reinforced.”
The ACSR itself is central to the performance of the cable because of the steel member it contains that helps eliminate sagging due to weight as well as to snow, wind and ice loading, which can cause triplex wire to sag all the way to the ground.
Without the steel-reinforced member, aluminum cable installed aerially would sag badly under its own weight alone. Also, in triplex wire, the ACSR is typically neutral.
Where to Find High Quality Triplex Wire
Here for high-quality aluminum triplex wire? Get it online at EWCS Wire. They carry a wide range of specialty electrical wire and cable including aluminium triplex and quadruplex cable for residential and commercial installations. Visit their website to learn more or get in touch with them directly for more information.
