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Re: Aluminum magnet wire?
James and all,
Interesting speculation, James... but your "repulsion" theory would
actually mean that copper was a very dangerous conductor! :^)
In reality, it's diamagnetic materials that are slightly repelled by a
magnet. Paramagnetic materials are slightly attracted to a magnet. And,
it turns out that copper is slightly diamagnetic(!), while aluminum is
slightly paramagnetic. In reality, these effects are quite small, and
these properties really have NO bearing on the behavior of these
materials when used as magnet wire. Using aluminum magnet wire is
certainly not dangerous, and it can be an inexpensive alternative to
copper magnet wire.
Aluminum magnet wire is extensively used to reduce cost and weight in
many transformers, including some utility distribution transformers.
It's also used extensively in the power utility industry for
transmission lines. By increasing the diameter of the aluminum conductor
to compensate for its poorer electrical conductivity, utilities end up
with a transmission line having a lower electrical loss than copper for
an equivalent wieght per unit length. In fact, some less expensive [read
el-cheapo...] NST's use aluminum magnet wire - not because it performs
better, but simply because it's cheaper!
Because the electrical conductivity of aluminum is only about 61% that
of copper, the DC and AC resistance will be higher for an aluminum
conductor of the same size. Also, skin depth of a conductor is actually
a function of the _magnetic_ permeability and electrical conductivity of
the conductor. For copper and aluminum, the relative permeability is
very close to being 1, and aluminum magnet wire will work fine for your
secondary (although copper or silver would perform slightly better).
However, DON'T try winding your secondary using ferromagnetic steel or
iron wire... :^)
-- Bert --
Tesla List wrote:
>
> Original Poster: "The Flavored Coffee Guy" <elgersmad-at-msn-dot-com>
>
> That is very dangerous because, aluminum is paramagnetic, and it always
> presents the opposing magnetic field to a changing magnetic field. I
> wouldn't say that was a good experiment for a novice at all. Unless, you
> have years of experiance, don't do it.
>
> James.
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Tesla List <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> To: tesla-at-pupman-dot-com <tesla-at-pupman-dot-com>
> Date: Thursday, September 16, 1999 4:04 AM
> Subject: Aluminum magnet wire?
>
> >Original Poster: Aric_C_Rothman-at-email.whirlpool-dot-com
> >
> > Is aluminum magnet wire an acceptable substitute for copper magnet
> > wire in a secondary?
> >
> > Aric
> >
> >