4 ms·

It is really funny when West is discovering magic of cheap aluminum for wires, while former Eastern Block is ripping aluminum wires from walls because it is no.

It is really funny when West is discovering magic of cheap aluminum for wires, while former Eastern Block is ripping aluminum wires from walls because it is no.1 reason for fires.

jasongill 4y ago
Aluminum is perfectly fine as a conductor, and perfectly safe. In the USA, we've used aluminum for most of our power transmission and distribution since the beginning of "the grid". Everything from the power plant to the meter at your home is connected with aluminum. Where aluminum causes fires is due to the fact that it expands and contracts more than copper does, and it can oxidize and corrode when not properly cared for (for example, when dissimilar metals are used, or when exposed aluminum wire ends are not properly coated). We can assume that someone at Tesla is familiar with the properties of aluminum and can insure that they are using the right connectors to mitigate these issues. (or at least, we can hope)
- axus 4y ago
  Perhaps the decrease in reliability was pitched internally as a way to sell more Teslas in the future?
  - brookst 4y ago
    Yes, no class action suit destroying the company could ever come from that little conspiracy.
  - nine_k 4y ago
    Unlikely: buying a replacement car because your previous one burst into flames usually involves staying away from the previous brand.
- tylerag 4y ago
  The other problem in house wiring is that when you tighten down the screw to attach the aluminum wire to the terminal, the aluminum work hardens, and expansion/contraction/vibration will cause it to break.
chollida1 4y ago
> It is really funny when West is discovering magic of cheap aluminum for wires, while former Eastern Block is ripping aluminum wires from walls because it is no.1 reason for fires. Aluminum was used for a short time in the west for household wiring and was quickly outlawed.
- zip1234 4y ago
  It's commonly used for the main wire into homes. As long as it is sized properly and uses the appropriate connections it is fine.

It is really funny when West is discovering magic of cheap aluminum for wires, while former Eastern Block is ripping aluminum wires from walls because it is no.1 reason for fires.

jasongill 4y ago

Aluminum is perfectly fine as a conductor, and perfectly safe. In the USA, we've used aluminum for most of our power transmission and distribution since the beginning of "the grid". Everything from the power plant to the meter at your home is connected with aluminum. Where aluminum causes fires is due to the fact that it expands and contracts more than copper does, and it can oxidize and corrode when not properly cared for (for example, when dissimilar metals are used, or when exposed aluminum wire ends are not properly coated). We can assume that someone at Tesla is familiar with the properties of aluminum and can insure that they are using the right connectors to mitigate these issues. (or at least, we can hope)

axus 4y ago
Perhaps the decrease in reliability was pitched internally as a way to sell more Teslas in the future?
- brookst 4y ago
  Yes, no class action suit destroying the company could ever come from that little conspiracy.
- nine_k 4y ago
  Unlikely: buying a replacement car because your previous one burst into flames usually involves staying away from the previous brand.
tylerag 4y ago
The other problem in house wiring is that when you tighten down the screw to attach the aluminum wire to the terminal, the aluminum work hardens, and expansion/contraction/vibration will cause it to break.

chollida1 4y ago

> It is really funny when West is discovering magic of cheap aluminum for wires, while former Eastern Block is ripping aluminum wires from walls because it is no.1 reason for fires. Aluminum was used for a short time in the west for household wiring and was quickly outlawed.

zip1234 4y ago
It's commonly used for the main wire into homes. As long as it is sized properly and uses the appropriate connections it is fine.