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4hv.org :: Forums :: General Science and Electronics
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Wire types

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Ben Solon
Thu Apr 05 2012, 04:49PM Print
Ben Solon Registered Member #3900 Joined: Thu May 19 2011, 08:28PM
Location:
Posts: 600
Hey, does anyone know of a quick easy way to test whether a stranded wire is aluminum or tin plated copper? I tried sandpaper but the wire just got rough and shiny, so it was hart to tell.
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Forty
Thu Apr 05 2012, 05:18PM
Forty Registered Member #3888 Joined: Sun May 15 2011, 09:50PM
Location: Erie, PA
Posts: 649
try soldering with it.
aluminum doesn't solder very well/at all.

Torching a single strand of it might work too, as I don't think I've ever seen aluminum glow.

Compare the weight of it with wire that is known to be copper.

... I could probably list a dozen ways. Just try soldering it, I think that will be a good indication.
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Alex M
Thu Apr 05 2012, 05:59PM
Alex M Registered Member #3943 Joined: Sun Jun 12 2011, 05:24PM
Location: The Shire, UK
Posts: 552
Aluminium wire tends to have a more softer feel to it than copper wire does and it will bend easier.
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Ben Solon
Thu Apr 05 2012, 06:15PM
Ben Solon Registered Member #3900 Joined: Thu May 19 2011, 08:28PM
Location:
Posts: 600
It's copper then.
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ConKbot of Doom
Sat Apr 07 2012, 03:57AM
ConKbot of Doom Registered Member #509 Joined: Sat Feb 10 2007, 07:02AM
Location:
Posts: 329
experience from helping a buddy rewire an aluminum house says aluminum wires arcing with lots of current on them make nice white sparks, vs blueish/greenish for copper. Got any spare car batteries or ultra caps around?
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Weston
Sat Apr 07 2012, 04:57AM
Weston Registered Member #1316 Joined: Thu Feb 14 2008, 03:35AM
Location: Cambridge, MA
Posts: 365
Drop it in hydrochloric acid. Aluminum wire will dissolve quickly and produce hydrogen gas. Copper wire should remain relatively unscathed, even if tin plated.
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