[TowerTalk] Re: New Tower Grounding Spec - what about Aluminum wire?

[force12@interserv.com]

re: the aluminum wire used in high tension power lines

The wire is not quite "aluminum." It is aluminum clad steel (trade name 
Alum-O-Weld). It's the same basic product we use for our linear loading 
wire, just bigger. It has several advantages over copper/copper clad, which 
is why they are changing from copper.

Regarding the aluminum house wiring, we had it in our (then) new house in 
Minnesota. One evening - BANG - the fixture above the dinner table flashed. 
The wire nut had come loose from the aluminum (not ALum-O-Weld) wire 
junction. It was an eye-opener, to say the least. Oh, yes - I fixed it and 
we finished dinner. Then I checked all of the connections in the house. Only 
have copper in the house here (California).



Have a good day and 73,
			Tom, N6BT
			Force 12 Antennas and Systems
			(Home Page   http://www.QTH.com/force12 )





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