[TowerTalk] solid THHN vs jacketed copperweld

[Donald Chester]

Steve Maki lists at oakcom.org Tue Sep 20 15:19:37 EDT 2022 wrote:

> I had sworn off copperweld many years ago after noting that the copper 
> plating did not last forever.

Was that real copperweld, or was it copper-plated steel with only a minuscule layer of copper deposited on the surface, like the stuff used for electric fence wire?

Real copperweld has a thick copper jacket that is practically indestructible.  I use #10, salvaged from an abandoned railway telegraph line of yesteryear, scored free for the taking many decades ago.  You can beat it with a hammer or leave it buried in the soil (as ground radials) for years and the jacket won't come off unless it's deliberately removed with a file or grinding wheel. 

That copper-plated junk begins to rust through in only a couple of years.  The copper is so thin that it probably has negligible benefit  from the skin effect; you are effectively using plain old steel wire.

Don k4kyv