What Is Copper Cable?

Copper cable is probably one of the oldest and most widely-used means of conducting electricity. It has been in use since the 1800s, ever since the invention of the telegraph and the telephone.  According to some estimates, manufacturing copper wire cable uses over half of the copper mined. Because of its high conductivity characteristics, and high melting point, electrical project managers often favor copper cables over other available alternates.

The process of turning bricks of pure copper bricks into copper electrical cable is known as extrusion. At its simplest, this involves melting the bricks, called “ingot”, and stretching them through machines called extruders. Various manufacturing steps then produce different types of copper wire, including solid cables or stranded products, also called braided copper wire.

Due to qualities such as ductility (pliability), corrosion resistance, solderability and strength, the use of copper wire is almost ubiquitous. You’ll see them installed in power transmission, power generation, power distribution, residential and commercial building electrical use, and even in wiring components in equipment and circuitry.