Which conductor type is described as having the strength of steel with the conductivity and corrosion resistance of aluminum?

• A. AAAC
• B. AAC
• C. AW
• D. ACSR

Answer: (C)

The idea being tested is how to get high tensile strength without sacrificing electrical performance and corrosion resistance. To achieve steel-like strength while keeping aluminum’s conductivity and resistance to corrosion, the design uses a steel core surrounded by aluminum strands. This combination is Aluminum Conductor Steel Reinforced. The steel core provides the heavy-duty strength needed for long spans and mounting loads, while the aluminum strands around it carry the current and resist corrosion, delivering good electrical performance.

Other all-aluminum types don’t include a steel core, so they trade off some tensile strength for other properties. All Aluminum Conductor and All Aluminum Alloy Conductor rely on aluminum (or aluminum alloy) alone, which means they cannot match the steel reinforcement’s strength. The result is sufficient conductivity and corrosion resistance, but lower mechanical strength compared to the steel-reinforced option.