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Peter Walsh, PE
On most large projects the contractor has a chance to offer "Value Engineering". This is the contractor's opportunity to propose materials that are different from the original bid specification. This material has to save the customer money and yet still provide sufficient performance. This value engineering can result in both the customer saving money and the contractor increasing his profits.
Many large commercial building owners have independently tested aluminum wire for reliability. At least one wire company, Southwire, can provide industry information about acceptance of aluminum. They are unbiased because they can provide both copper and aluminum cable. This information is necessary to convince the customer to allow the aluminum wire exception to the bid specification.
Some bid specifications still have a requirement for copper feeder wiring. This is an ideal project to value engineer with aluminum wire. Commonly the cost savings are large enough to give savings to the customer and still increase contractor profits.
What are the typical cost savings? For example, a 400-ampere feeder would need 500 KCM copper or 750 KCM aluminum wire. According to Karl Beckman, Field Engineer of Southwire, using the aluminum wire would save 50 to 60% from the cost of copper wire.
Wire costs can be a significant portion of total material costs. This makes it worthwhile to spend time educating the customer and his engineer about the facts of aluminum compared to copper wire. Using aluminum wire installed according to the National Electrical Code requirements can be profitable for both you and your customer.
Photo courtesy of Southwire
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