Silver instead of copper wire in electric generators?

[dm164]

I'm wondering if it make much difference if they used silver instead of copper wire in electric generators? Also, how does switching from silver to copper wire affect the voltage and current, or does it just create some resistance?

 

[mgb_phys]

It reduces resistance losses , but probably increases (stolen) transformer losses

 

[Bob S]

I think that during World War II, silver was substituted for copper in some U. S. wartime projects because brass was being used for shell casings. I am told also that solid silver wire was being used in the RF coils in military transmitters. See for example

http://findarticles.com/p/articles/mi_hb203/is_3_39/ai_n49408104/

Bob S

 

[dm164]

thanks

 

[GRDixon]

make much difference if they used silver instead of copper wire in electric generators?

Not much. The resistivity of silver is 1.6E-8 ohm-m, whereas that of copper is 1.7E-8