Analysis of Copper Cable Types Commonly used in Nigeria for Electrical Wiring and Power Distribution

Abstract

The compositional constituents of five (5) copper cable types labeled E1, E2, E3, E4 and E5 were determined using two (2) different test methods namely- X-ray fluorescence spectrometry (XRFS) and resistivity test with the main objective of ascertaining their purity, resistivity and conductivity features. These factors are expected to provide the clue as to why some cables of the same gauge manufactured by different companies fail under the same load conditions. Samples of the 5 cable brands of equal dimensions were grounded to fine powder and subjected to purity test by the XRFS method. Another set of similar samples were subjected to resistivity test. From the XRFS result, E1 had purity of 99.30%, E2, 99.10%, E3, 98.50%, E4, 99.20% and E5, 98.80%, while the resistivity tests revealed that the respective resistivity and conductivity values were: for E1 [2.324x10-9 Ω m and 430.29x106 (m)-1 ], E2 [3.921x10-9 Ω m and 255.04 x 106 (m)-1 ], E3 [2.689 x 10-9 Ω m and 371.89 x 106 (m)-1 ], E4 [2.614x10-9 Ω m and 382.56x106 (m)-1 ], and E5 [2.890x10-9 Ω m and 346.60 x 106 (m)-1 ]. Comparing these values to the standard resistivity value of pure copper [2.82 x 10-8  m], it would be seen that these results are in agreement with each other. The test methods used in this research could be used to test the purity of copper or any other metal suitable for domestic electrification before stretching into cables. It can also be used to determine the standard of copper products.