Copper (100% IACS conductivity) carries more current per size and is standard for home branch circuits. Aluminum (about 61% IACS) is cheaper and lighter but must be sized roughly two AWG larger and used with aluminum-rated terminals. Use copper for most house wiring; aluminum mainly for large feeders and the service entrance.
| Property | Copper | Aluminum |
|---|---|---|
| Conductivity | 100% IACS | ~61% IACS |
| Size for same ampacity | baseline | ~1.6× area (≈2 AWG larger) |
| Relative cost | higher | 40–60% less per ampere-foot |
| Terminals | standard | must be AL / AL-CU rated |
| Corrosion resistance | better | oxidizes more easily |
| Typical use | branch circuits | large feeders, service entrance |
Typical industry values for planning — confirm exact figures against the manufacturer datasheet and local code before ordering.
General house wiring, socket and lighting branch circuits, and anywhere space and reliable terminations matter.
Large feeders and service-entrance runs where the cost saving on big conductors is significant — always with aluminum-rated connectors.
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