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Aluminum Wired Fan vs. Copper Wired Fan

04/23/2013 6:04 AM

Dear Friends;


Some years before, the fans produced in our country were wired (winding) with copper wire but now a day, fans are also wired with aluminum winding wire. The point which confuses me is that, for example, ceiling fans in local market, are available with following specs;

Copper wired fan

220V, 50HZ, 75W

325rpm.

Aluminum wired fan

220V, 50HZ, 75W

325rpm.

The air delivery of both fans is same. I am confused that how can it be possible that aluminum wired fan consumes same 75W energy to rotate the fan in same speed? Normally, the energy losses in aluminum wire is higher than copper which increases overall energy consumption but practically there is no difference. Please explain in detail to clear me.

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#1

Re: Aluminum Wired Fan Vs Copper Wired Fan.

04/23/2013 6:41 AM

Same results can be achieved with Al, it's just that you must have some 60% more cross section for the same conductivity. This of course results in a bulkier motor for same power or same size a few degrees hotter. That last one seems to be an advantage in the long run for the industry these days. Products must die sometime, and the sooner they die after warranty expires, the better. I'm also sure that with silver winding you could come up with more compact motors, but it's not used for the same reason. Cost. S.M.

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#2

Re: Aluminum Wired Fan vs. Copper Wired Fan

04/23/2013 7:36 AM

the "watts "rating here is a measure of power consumption to run this device, so the power draw on both can be identical. But your aluminum wire will actually be warmer. aluminum will indeed carry electricity, it just doest do it as well as the copper. Aluminum also has undesirable expansion and cooling rates that can cause connection issues including fires. save time and stick with what works, go copper.

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#3

Re: Aluminum Wired Fan vs. Copper Wired Fan

04/23/2013 11:21 AM

You are overlooking a simple electrical principle of AC motors. Inductive impedance.

Thats what determines how many amps your alternating current motor will draw not the actual resistance of the wire itself.

To get 75 watts to flow through the motor at 220 VAC the electrical inductive impedance of the coils would be producing an equivalent resistance of 645 ohms.

However that actual resistance of the windings could be only 50 - 100 ohms themselves which if the motor manufacturer simply stepped up his wire cross sectional area by 20% and went with just a few less turns of wire one each coil he could have easily fit aluminum windings in the same motor core and got the same working mechanical power output without sacrificing any motor efficiency or performance.

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#6
In reply to #3

Re: Aluminum Wired Fan vs. Copper Wired Fan

04/24/2013 12:14 AM

Funny you mention impedance. I did not think of that. Some day I'd like to pick your brain. Pun intended. You seem like a easy guy to get to know.

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#9
In reply to #6

Re: Aluminum Wired Fan vs. Copper Wired Fan

04/24/2013 8:41 AM

Sure what would you like to know?

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#4

Re: Aluminum Wired Fan vs. Copper Wired Fan

04/23/2013 3:17 PM

Apart from others' relevant comments, is the 75W the motor output power or the electrical power drawn? Most domestic appliances quote the power drawn (unlike industrial motors where the rated power is the shaft output power).

But if your 75W is the motor output power (= power needed to drive the fan), the electrical input power could be higher for the one with aluminium windings.

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#5

Re: Aluminum Wired Fan vs. Copper Wired Fan

04/23/2013 7:17 PM

Mechanical vs. electrical difference = aluminum wire WEIGHS less than copper wire, so the aluminum wound motor has LESS inertia to sling around, which ultimately (if properly & cleverly designed) could explain the answer to your question: *why & how* is it possible they have idential wattage numbers?

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#7
In reply to #5

Re: Aluminum Wired Fan vs. Copper Wired Fan

04/24/2013 4:48 AM

The stator with the windings is mostly standing still, only the rotor turns. I don't see how the weight of a non moving stator can increase the inertia of a turning rotor…

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#8
In reply to #7

Re: Aluminum Wired Fan vs. Copper Wired Fan

04/24/2013 6:47 AM

But there are conductors in both the rotor and the stator. I don't know whether there's any reason why they're both same material, or can be one of each. Perhaps somebody will enlighten me.

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#10
In reply to #8

Re: Aluminum Wired Fan vs. Copper Wired Fan

04/25/2013 1:34 AM

It means, technically there is no problem in using of aluminum wires instead of copper (wattage can be same) but major difference is that the aluminum winding can produce more heat as compare with copper. But I think this extra heat could be caused by ruining of winding too early. Am I correct?

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