types of copper explain
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There are two basic types of copper tubing, soft copper and rigid copper.
Copper is an essential nutrient for the body. Together with iron, it enables the body to form red blood cells. It helps maintain healthy bones, blood vessels, nerves, and immune function, and it contributes to iron absorption. Sufficient copper in the diet may help prevent cardiovascular disease and osteoporosis, too.
1. Bare Copper
Bare copper is one of the more common types of copper wire that is used for grounding. Bare copper is sometimes just called grounding wire. This type of copper wire is not covered in any type of protective coating, making it completely unprotected, hence the name. This type of copper is generally used in residential homes and probably has the best conductive properties, without being protected by insulation.
Bare copper is also used as the base for most types of wire and cable. This enables these wires and cables to have grounding wires within them. Contractors like the bare copper this way because that means if it is outdoors, the bare copper is protected from the elements.
2. Green 6 THHN
Another specific type of copper wire that is used for outdoor grounding would be the Green 6 THHN wire. The green represents the fact that it is an outdoor grounding wire. This particular copper grounding wire is insulated and can be used outdoors without there being any concerns about moisture getting to the copper wire itself. Not only can this wire be considered a ground wire outdoors, but it can also serve as a conductor.
3. Gauged Copper
A close up of copper wire.
Gauged copper grounding wires vary in size. You can find them in 1/0, 2, 4, 8, 10, 12, 14 and 16 gauge. The larger the gauge number, the smaller the wire actually is. The more current you need for something, the bigger the ground copper wire must be.
16 gauge is generally used for home circuits because the maximum amps allowed for any current in a home is 15 amps. So the 16 gauge wire is perfect for grounding.
14 gauge is generally used for circuits that have a maximum of 25 amps going through circuits.
20 amp breakers tend to need the 12 gauge copper wire for grounding. For example, GFCI outlets should use 12 gauge.
10 gauge is generally used for appliances that produce 30 amps such as your washer and dryer.
8 gauge is commonly used for large appliances that put out a maximum of 100 amps of circuit power.
4, 2 and 1 are rarely used in homes and often used for car stereos as well as large industrial types of equipment. The amps produced would be 150, 225, and 350 amps.