Good source for primary wire?

[Uncle Gump]

I just keep seeing this Copper Clad Aluminum wire everywhere. I've never used it and I leery about it.

Anyone have a good source for stranded copper wire they care to share?

 

[Curious Hound]

I’ve ordered from powerwerx.com several times. Seems I had another good source but don’t recall who it was currently.

 

[Uncle Gump]

You ever used the CCA wire... stuff sure is cheap enough.

Going to look at powerwerx

 

[Curious Hound]

You ever used the CCA wire... stuff sure is cheap enough.

Not knowingly or willingly.

 

[4.0blue98]

I got some small AWG copper stuff from Amazon. Only 16 and 18 gauge. I was afraid of the CCA but never tried. I wonder how it solders.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

I have been happy with napa wire.

Everybody else has BWD with its stupid tough insulation that is a pita to strip.

 

[fourhigh]

there's 50' of 18 ga. on the 'bay - 6.99 free shipping, don't get much better 'n that..
oh, sorry......, You wanted an option other than cca. I've had good luck with it.

 

[Uncle Gump]

there's 50' of 18 ga. on the 'bay - 6.99 free shipping, don't get much better 'n that..
oh, sorry......, You wanted an option other than cca. I've had good luck with it.

Yeah... I've seen mixed reviews on it.

How well does it solder?

I also seen that you should upsize it (2X) to actually get the same current spec as copper. Did you upsize?

 

[Curious Hound]

I would expect copper coated aluminum to solder fine. The solder would be adhering to the copper coating.

+1 on upsizing. Aluminum has a higher resistance so voltage drop due to its resistance would be higher. When used in building electrical systems, it is always upsized according to a chart in the National electric code or electrical engineering references.

 

[fourhigh]

agreed.