Aluminium or aluminium alloy electrical conductors are now widely used in:

• overhead electrical transmission and distribution cables
• power systems and substations

Aluminium is particularly suited to these uses because of its high electrical conductivity, low weight and good resistance to corrosion.

Transmission and distribution lines Worldwide most high-voltage overhead transmission and distribution lines – as well as many underground lines - are made of aluminium.

Since 1945, aluminium has replaced copper in high-voltage transmission lines and today is the most economical way to transmit electric power. Aluminium weights only one-third of copper and one kilogram of aluminium can carry twice as much electricity as one kilogram of copper. Aluminium power lines are therefore lighter and require fewer, and lighter support structures.

Aluminium power lines can be made of single-strand wires, of many wires stranded together or, for maximum strength, of aluminium strands wrapped around a steel core.

Power systems and substations

Almost all electric lights, motors, appliances and power systems depend on a vast grid of aluminium wire. For example, the power systems of the world's largest buildings are made of aluminium.

Aluminium is also widely used in "switchyards" or substations where electricity is stepped down to lower voltages for local distribution.

Light bulbs, antennae and satellite dishes

Since the 1950s aluminium has practically replaced brass as the standard base for the electric light bulb. Every year in North America, more than four billion light bulbs, fluorescent tubes and other electric lamps are manufactured and 95 per cent of them have aluminium bases.

Thousands of television antennae and many satellite dishes are also made of aluminium.

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