{"id":4434,"date":"2026-09-27T19:22:18","date_gmt":"2026-09-27T19:22:18","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/huyuglobal.com\/?p=4434"},"modified":"2026-09-27T19:22:20","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T19:22:20","slug":"for-electric-power-transmission-copper-or-aluminium-wire-is-used","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/huyuglobal.com\/es\/blog\/for-electric-power-transmission-copper-or-aluminium-wire-is-used\/","title":{"rendered":"\u00bfPara la transmisi\u00f3n de energ\u00eda el\u00e9ctrica, se utiliza cable de cobre o aluminio?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Cuando se observa una l\u00ednea el\u00e9ctrica, lo m\u00e1s probable es que est\u00e9 hecha de aluminio, aunque en laboratorio el cobre es un mejor conductor. El factor determinante para el uso del aluminio no es la electricidad sino el peso, la extensi\u00f3n de los tramos y el precio. Este art\u00edculo describe los usos de cada material, explica por qu\u00e9 el aluminio ya ha prevalecido sobre el cobre en el caso de las l\u00edneas de transmisi\u00f3n a\u00e9reas pero a\u00fan compite con \u00e9l en la transmisi\u00f3n subterr\u00e1nea y los equipos de conmutaci\u00f3n, y describe a qu\u00e9 conduce esto en los puntos de terminaci\u00f3n de la l\u00ednea.<\/p>\n

Respuesta corta: La mayor cantidad de transmisi\u00f3n el\u00e9ctrica a\u00e9rea se realiza a trav\u00e9s de cables de aluminio, ya que representa m\u00e1s del 90% de los cables de transmisi\u00f3n de energ\u00eda importados. Los cables de aluminio usados para la transmisi\u00f3n el\u00e9ctrica se conocen com\u00fanmente como ACSR, que se refiere a cable de aluminio con n\u00facleo de acero. Los cables de cobre se utilizan en casos donde el espacio y la fiabilidad de las conexiones deben preferirse al peso del cable, como en la instalaci\u00f3n de cables, barras colectoras, motores y transformadores. El aluminio transmite solo el 61% de la electricidad que el cobre y su costo es aproximadamente del 25-30% del costo del cobre, sin embargo, pesa un 70% menos que el cobre, lo que significa que un cable de aluminio con la misma resistividad que el cobre pesa aproximadamente la mitad porque tiene la misma resistencia el\u00e9ctrica que el cable de cobre y es algo mayor en di\u00e1metro.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

Los n\u00fameros que resuelven el argumento<\/h2>\n

Los dos metales sobresalen en la conducci\u00f3n de electricidad, pero la diferencia es mucho menor de lo que la mayor\u00eda piensa cuando no comparamos cables del mismo tama\u00f1o sino cables de igual capacidad. El cobre es ganador porque es m\u00e1s volum\u00e9trico; el cobre puede transportar m\u00e1s electricidad para un cable del mismo \u00e1rea. El aluminio es ganador gracias a su peso espec\u00edfico; es significativamente m\u00e1s ligero y mucho m\u00e1s barato para la misma conductancia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Propiedad a 20 \u00b0C<\/th>\nCobre estirado en fr\u00edo<\/th>\nAluminio estirado en fr\u00edo<\/th>\nAcero galvanizado<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Resistividad (\u00d710-8<\/sup> \u03a9\u00b7m)<\/td>\n1.72<\/td>\n2.83<\/td>\naprox. 14<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Conductividad (1% IACS)<\/td>\n97 (cobre recocido 100)<\/td>\n61<\/td>\naprox. 12<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Densidad (kg\/m\u00b3)<\/td>\n8,890<\/td>\n2,703<\/td>\n7,800<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Resistencia \u00faltima a la tracci\u00f3n (MPa)<\/td>\n380-420<\/td>\n160-200<\/td>\n1,300-1,500<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coeficiente de temperatura (\u00d710-3<\/sup>\/\u00b0C)<\/td>\n3.93<\/td>\n4.03<\/td>\n4.5<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Costo relativo del material (indicativo 2026)<\/td>\nUSD 8,800-11,000 por tonelada<\/td>\nUSD 2,400-3,200 por tonelada<\/td>\nDependiente de la aplicaci\u00f3n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

En t\u00e9rminos de ingenier\u00eda, las implicaciones se vuelven claras. Cuando se trata de resistencia el\u00e9ctrica, el aluminio tiene aproximadamente 1.6 veces m\u00e1s \u00e1rea superficial que el cobre, que es aproximadamente 1.28 veces m\u00e1s ancho que el cobre. Sin embargo, a pesar del tama\u00f1o de este conductor, solo tiene aproximadamente la mitad del peso. Adem\u00e1s, dado que los precios de las materias primas para la producci\u00f3n de aluminio son significativamente m\u00e1s bajos que los del cobre, un conductor de aluminio del mismo tama\u00f1o cuesta aproximadamente el 35-50% de su contraparte de cobre y tambi\u00e9n es un 52% m\u00e1s ligero por s\u00ed mismo.<\/p>\n

Mientras que el aluminio tiene una gran desventaja en t\u00e9rminos mec\u00e1nicos. Su resistencia a la tracci\u00f3n es casi la mitad que la del cobre. Adem\u00e1s, presenta desventajas bajo carga a largo plazo cuando sufre elongaci\u00f3n.<\/p>\n

\"Los<\/p>\n

Por qu\u00e9 el aluminio gan\u00f3 la l\u00ednea a\u00e9rea<\/h2>\n

Al dividir las dos responsabilidades, el problema desaparece por completo. ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced) consiste en hilos de aluminio en el exterior y un n\u00facleo de acero y acero galvanizado en el interior. El n\u00facleo de acero mantiene la tensi\u00f3n mientras que el aluminio es responsable de transportar la corriente. El acero casi no juega ning\u00fan papel desde el punto de vista el\u00e9ctrico ya que se encuentra en el n\u00facleo del conductor, con su densidad de corriente siendo la m\u00e1s baja en este tipo de conductor. El conductor se designa como 54\/7, lo que significa que hay 54 hilos de aluminio alrededor de los 7 filamentos del n\u00facleo de acero.<\/p>\n

Cuando el conductor es ligero, la construcci\u00f3n de todo el sistema de transmisi\u00f3n es m\u00e1s econ\u00f3mica. Los hilos m\u00e1s ligeros permiten tramos m\u00e1s largos entre los postes, lo que significa menos postes, cimientos m\u00e1s peque\u00f1os y menos terreno despejado. Seg\u00fan varias estimaciones de la industria, los ahorros en infraestructura cuando se utilizan sistemas totalmente de cobre pueden ser de hasta un 20-40%. En l\u00edneas m\u00e1s largas, esta ventaja supera todos los c\u00e1lculos de eficiencia de conductividad.<\/p>\n

Hay otro beneficio a considerar. Dado que el dise\u00f1o de conductores de CA de resistencia igual es aproximadamente un 28% m\u00e1s ancho en di\u00e1metro, la carga el\u00e9ctrica se distribuye en la superficie de manera m\u00e1s uniforme y se reduce el efecto de descarga corona. Lo que parece un exceso de tama\u00f1o en el sitio de construcci\u00f3n se convierte en un buen beneficio a nivel de voltaje de 400 kV.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Conductor<\/th>\nConstrucci\u00f3n<\/th>\nFuente de resistencia<\/th>\nD\u00f3nde se utiliza<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
AAC<\/td>\nFilamentos totalmente de aluminio<\/td>\nSolo aluminio<\/td>\nTramos cortos, barra de subestaci\u00f3n, distribuci\u00f3n urbana<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
AAAC<\/td>\nFilamentos de aleaci\u00f3n de aluminio-magnesio-silicio<\/td>\nAleaci\u00f3n<\/td>\nAtm\u00f3sferas costeras e industriales; sin corrosi\u00f3n bimet\u00e1lica<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ACSR<\/td>\nAluminio sobre n\u00facleo de acero galvanizado<\/td>\nN\u00facleo de acero<\/td>\nEl est\u00e1ndar para transmisi\u00f3n a\u00e9rea a nivel mundial<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ACAR<\/td>\nAluminio sobre filamentos de aleaci\u00f3n de aluminio<\/td>\nN\u00facleo de aleaci\u00f3n<\/td>\nRutas sensibles a la corrosi\u00f3n que requieren m\u00e1s resistencia que AAC<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
ACSS<\/td>\nAluminio recocido sobre n\u00facleo de alta resistencia<\/td>\nN\u00facleo, esencialmente todo \u00e9l<\/td>\nAumento de capacidad en un derecho de v\u00eda existente; alta temperatura de operaci\u00f3n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Where copper still wins, and why<\/h2>\n

The underground cable is the last bastion of copper in the cable industry, and the reason for that is the issue of space. A trench, duct, or cable tray has a predetermined space, and any extra square millimeter of the conductor needs to be justified by digging, ducting, and pulling efforts. Wherever there is a need for a large cross-section, copper conductivity wins the competition. Underwater use creates one more rationale for copper use: strong construction for long supportless runs and at the entry points where cable is pulled.<\/p>\n

In electrical devices the picture is even clearer. Busbars, motor and transformer windings, contactor coils, control wires are all made of copper, since the housing has a fixed size, and connection quality manifests itself more than price of metal. 3,200 A of electrical busbar made out of copper should have about 1.6 times smaller section made of aluminum which normally does not fit. DC traction (metro third rail and overhead systems, arc furnaces, electrolytic plants) remains with copper for the same purpose.<\/p>\n

Then there is the conversion argument: any current system constructed from copper cannot be transitioned into aluminum without changing all the assumptions regarding ampacity, fault ratings and protection settings at the same time.<\/p>\n

The failure modes that gave aluminium a bad name<\/h2>\n

Aluminium has gained a bad reputation that it has largely earned \u2014 but it is not the material’s fault. During a time of unprecedented copper costs, it was then assumed that the same technologies, devices, and torque values being used on copper would also work when using aluminium in homes in North America. Three properties then played into the situation.<\/p>\n

First, aluminium reacts with oxygen and forms an oxide coating, which is an insulating material that has a melting point of around 2,072 \u00b0C; thus, it is good for corrosion-resistance and not good for screw terminals. Secondly, aluminium expands significantly more than copper during thermal cycles; therefore, the connection made is going to be loose after a great number of thermal cycling. Thirdly, since aluminium is anodic to copper, the presence of moisture causes galvanic corrosion of the contact whenever there is a direct contact of the two metals.<\/p>\n

All these problems lead to one classic failure: a receptacle getting warm enough to develop arcs. The solutions for making modern aluminium wiring safe are oxide inhibiting compound applied directly at connections, CO\/ALR-rated devices used especially for aluminium conductors, bimetallic transition connections between copper and aluminium, as well as torque values calculated and considered in respect of expanding properties of aluminium.<\/p>\n

For anyone working on existing aluminium branch circuits, the diagnostic is heat rather than appearance. A termination that has begun to fail will usually show discoloured insulation, a scorched device or nuisance tripping long before it fails outright, and the same fingerprint \u2014 warmth under light load, then trips that make no sense \u2014 is how you catch a breaker that has gone bad<\/a> at the other end of the circuit.<\/p>\n

Matching the conductor to the voltage class<\/h2>\n

The way power is transmitted changes as the transmission voltage changes, and the change is caused by geometry and not economics.Above roughly 220 kV, lines carry more than one conductor per phase, and the same logic that governs the difference between high voltage and low voltage<\/a> design decides how many. A 400 kV line commonly runs two or four sub-conductors per phase in a bundle rather than one very large conductor.<\/p>\n

The change in power transmission has to do with inductance and corona effects. Inductance of a power line is determined only by the physical radius of the wire, and the increase of the radius of a single wire does not have much influence on inductance. To make it effective, wires are bundled into a number of smaller wires, therefore, the effective radius increases with the number of wires, while maintaining the electric field at the surface low enough to avoid corona. Hence, the aluminum content in the wires grows with voltage, and the design of the wires is done beforehand, thus it does not depend on the manufacturer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
ACSR code name<\/th>\nStranding Al \/ steel<\/th>\nOverall diameter<\/th>\nDC resistance at 20 \u00b0C<\/th>\nUso t\u00edpico<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Dog<\/td>\n6\/4.72 + 7\/1.57<\/td>\n14.15 mm<\/td>\n0.2745 \u03a9\/km<\/td>\n33-66 kV lines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Panther<\/td>\n30\/3.00 + 7\/3.00<\/td>\n21.00 mm<\/td>\n0.1390 \u03a9\/km<\/td>\n132 kV lines<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zebra<\/td>\n54\/3.18 + 7\/3.18<\/td>\n28.62 mm<\/td>\n0.0688 \u03a9\/km<\/td>\n220 kV and 400 kV, bundled<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Moose<\/td>\n54\/3.53 + 7\/3.53<\/td>\n31.77 mm<\/td>\n0.0561 \u03a9\/km<\/td>\n400 kV, twin or quad bundle<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

These names are derived from national conductor catalogs, while the figures that follow \u2014 including diameter, stranding, resistance, and geometric mean radius \u2014 are key considerations in designing a line. The first aspect concerning the substance of the conductor is resolved far in advance of reviewing the conductor table.<\/p>\n

\"Matching<\/p>\n

Ampacity, temperature and terminal ratings<\/h2>\n

The lower conductivity of aluminium extends to the ampacity tables as well. With the same conductor size, aluminium is able to conduct around 78-80% of the ampacity of copper at the same temperature rating for insulation. For example, a 1\/0 conductor rated at 75 \u00b0C presents an ampacity of 150 A in copper and an ampacity of 120 A in aluminium. In order to achieve the same ampacity level, it is necessary to use a larger conductor \u2014 the general rule is to use a conductor that is two AWG sizes larger than in copper.In the end, this brings the issue of the space \u2014the aluminium conductor that conducts the required current requires different raceway sizes, different lugs and more space at the panel.<\/p>\n

Two details in the code create most cases of errors in the field. The first one is the fact that ampacity depends on the temperature ratings of wiring and terminations. A 90 \u00b0C insulated conductor connected to a 75 \u00b0C rated terminal can only be used at the lower figure unless the assembly is listed otherwise, and that listing is exactly what a UL 489 molded case circuit breaker<\/a> declares in its terminal temperature rating rather than in its marketing literature. The second detail is that aluminium connections must be made using connectors that are listed as suitable for aluminium wiring, using the aforementioned torque and the oxide inhibitor according to the specifications of the connector manufacturer.<\/p>\n

What this means for switchgear and terminations<\/h2>\n

At this stage, the decision made by the conductor is no longer a decision regarding the wire, but one concerning the switchgear. The use of aluminium feeders requires that every piece of equipment connected to the wires is rated for both aluminium and copper; the termination equipment has to be bimetallic involving an aluminium and copper connection wherever aluminium is used with copper.<\/p>\n

HUYU’s manufacturing line makes components such as MCBs, MCCBs, air circuit breakers, contactors, relays, current transformers, surge protection devices, automatic transfer switches and PV combiner boxes. We do not produce wire, thus we do not view it to be up to us to make the choice between aluminium and copper.What we do is supply equipment whose terminals are rated for both, with the torque and conductor-range data published \u2014 a DIN-rail interruptor autom\u00e1tico miniatura<\/a> is only a 63 A device to the extent its terminals accept the conductor you bring to it.<\/p>\n

As we have learnt from our experience with failures in the field, it is important to remember that whenever a feeder changes material during a run, the junction of that change must be at a designated terminal or at a bimetallic connector \u2014 never half-way along a run with a split bolt and a piece of tape.<\/p>\n

How to decide on a real project<\/h2>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Aplicaci\u00f3n<\/th>\nMaterial<\/th>\nRaz\u00f3n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n
Overhead transmission and distribution<\/td>\nAluminium (ACSR \/ AAAC)<\/td>\nWeight, span length, tower cost, diameter and corona<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Underground and submarine cable<\/td>\nCopper, sometimes aluminium for large LV<\/td>\nCross-section is expensive; robustness at landing points<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Switchgear busbars and control wiring<\/td>\nCobre<\/td>\nFixed enclosure volume; connection reliability<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Motor and transformer windings<\/td>\nCopper; aluminium in cost-driven distribution units<\/td>\nWinding space, losses, heat dissipation<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Building feeders, larger circuits<\/td>\nAluminium for size and cost; copper for tight routes<\/td>\nTrade-off between metal cost and raceway space<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Existing installations<\/td>\nMatch what is already there<\/td>\nAvoid re-rating studies and mixed-metal terminations<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

System-level decisions often push the answer one step further. On a large industrial site, the conductor material interacts with the distribution architecture \u2014 how many transformers, how long the MV runs, how much MV switchgear \u2014 which is why enterprise-scale distribution systems<\/a> are designed as a whole rather than conductor by conductor, and why optimising the architecture usually saves more than the metal swap does.<\/p>\n

Preguntas Frecuentes<\/h2>\n

Is aluminium or copper better for power transmission?<\/h3>\n

Aluminium is preferred for overhead lines by an enormous factor, with more than 90% of the global network employed in its use. Copper is better suited for underground lines, equipment, or situations where the cross-section is predetermined. They both have their strengths; the question then is which constraint applies to the situation in question.<\/p>\n

Why is aluminium used instead of copper in overhead lines?<\/h3>\n

This is because an aluminium conductor with the same resistance weighs only approximately half as much and costs about 35-50% of the price of the copper equivalent. The fact that the weight is half makes the spans longer and more towers and smaller foundations are needed to properly support the structure.<\/p>\n

Can copper and aluminium wires be connected directly?<\/h3>\n

Avoid using it in any damp or exterior area. Aluminium is electropositive to copper, which can cause galvanic action in the presence of moisture within the connection. Therefore, make sure to use special bimetal connectors designed specifically for the two metals.<\/p>\n

Does aluminium wire carry less current than copper of the same size?<\/h3>\n

Indeed, typically the Copper rating is around 78 to 80 percent for the same insulation temperature of the insulation. If you want the same amount of current and voltage, you’ll use about two AWG sizes up which would require bigger conductors and therefore bigger sizes of both raceways and lugs as well.<\/p>\n

What is ACSR and why is the steel core there?<\/h3>\n

The Aluminium Conductor Steel Reinforced (ACSR) is formed by placing a steel wire core at the centre of several layers of aluminum wires. The role of steel is to take the tensile stress that the hard drawn aluminum cannot manage on long spans, while the aluminum is responsible for carrying electrical current. Since steel is located in the central part of the conductor where the place for the electrical current is minimum, almost no electrical loss occurs.<\/p>\n

Is aluminium wiring in a house dangerous?<\/h3>\n

Not per se, but it does require proper device installation. The mistakes that happened in the 1960s and 1970s can be attributed to the use of aluminum wire connectors with devices that were not rated for such conductors, but were utilized without the appropriate installation or proper torque. Nowadays, with the use of the oxide-inhibiting compound, the devices rated for CO\/ALR rating, as well as bimetallic gadgets the process works correctly and efficiently under the condition that those requirements are fulfilled.<\/p>\n

Referencias<\/h2>\n