Why can not I use aluminum for grounding?
Hello! Tell me, why can not I use an aluminum wire for grounding, if an aluminum conductor at a lower price has a higher conductivity? For example, SIP-4 for 16 squares conducts a current of 100 A, while 3 times more expensive copper wire for 4 squares conducts only 38 A, which is almost three times less than that of aluminum. So why is it better to use copper? Thank.
PUE chapter 1.7.:
1.7.117. The grounding conductor connecting the earthing switch of the working (functional) grounding to the main grounding bus in electrical installations with voltage up to 1 kV must have a cross section of at least: copper - 10 mm2, aluminum - 16 mm2, steel - 75 mm2.
Hello! And who said that it is impossible? Are you interested in a wire for connecting from the shield to the ground electrode? There is such a requirement in
1.7.117. The grounding conductor connecting the earthing switch of the working (functional) grounding to the main grounding bus in electrical installations with voltage up to 1 kV must have a cross section of at least: copper - 10 mm2, aluminum - 16 mm2, steel - 75 mm2.
But the 119th paragraph prohibits the use of aluminum as a GZS, and this is due to the fact that aluminum is instantly oxidized in air. Since this is a protective conductor, after oxidation there can be no question of any protection.
In general, copper is used because it is harder, i.e. when clamped into a terminal block or under a bolt - it does not crush, and it does not oxidize like aluminum.