aluminum grounding systems

[secondchoice]

I was just wondering has anybody ever used aluminum instead of copper for radials in acidic damp soils. I realize the conductivity would not be as great and you would most likely have to use a little bit more to get the same result as copper, but aluminum should last a lot longer and might be cheaper in the long run.

 

[tpt]

How would you bond them together for a reliable connection? Main problem why aluminum fell out of favor for electrical wiring.

 

[secondchoice]

There are connectors for copper to aluminum. The problem with aluminum wiring in home was the copper and aluminum would not stay in contact with out proper crimps and arc. If your house / trailer has aluminum wiring the electrician would put the little connectors on a crimp each switch and socket. You house electric power, if it comes from a power companies (or co-op) comes into your house on aluminum wires. Somewhere in your building or house there is an aluminum / copper connection unless you are "off the grid".

 

[rbrucecarter5]

I was just wondering has anybody ever used aluminum instead of copper for radials in acidic damp soils. I realize the conductivity would not be as great and you would most likely have to use a little bit more to get the same result as copper, but aluminum should last a lot longer and might be cheaper in the long run.

If the issue is copper thieves, I would suggest raising a healthy farm of fire ants would discourage most copper thieves.

 

[boiseengineer]

Aluminum does corrode too. Especially if there's a current.
Power company here is notorious for using aluminum for 240/120 buried cables in residential areas.
Neighbor had the direct burial aluminum wire neutral to his house open up causing a lot of damage. Just a little nick on the insulation.
We've lost several meter bases at a site at lower power transmitter sites with aluminum wiring.

There's a manufacturer of copper clad steel wire they advertise for use in ground systems.

Or like at least one station used for a while. Barbed wire.
Another one pastured buffalos around the towers to keep people out.

 

[frankberry]

The cost of using aluminum radials would exceed the cost of using copper radials. You would need to braze a length of copper wire to the copper ground strap and then crimp the aluminum radials to the copper wire. Do you really want to trust a crimp in an underground environment? A loose crimp can generate lots of harmonic energy. I wouldn't trust copper-clad steel wire either. All it would take is a little nick to expose the steel and the radial would rust (and break) very quickly.
Use copper wire. It's expensive but it works.