- #1
Missionz12
- 18
- 0
I've read that silver is the best conductor of electricity so I am curious why we do not use it in wires like we use gold,copper,etc...
Why is Silver Not Widely Used in Electrical Wires?
- Thread starter Missionz12
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SUMMARY
Silver is not widely used in electrical wires primarily due to its cost and only marginally better conductivity compared to copper. The resistivity of silver is 1.59×10-8 ohm-meters, which is only 8% better than copper's 1.72×10-8 ohm-meters. As of the current market, silver costs approximately US$526 per kilogram, while copper is significantly cheaper at US$5.84 per kilogram. Although silver has applications in RF work and military equipment, copper remains the preferred choice for most electrical wiring due to its balance of conductivity and affordability.
PREREQUISITES- Understanding of electrical conductivity and resistivity
- Familiarity with materials used in electrical wiring, specifically copper, silver, and gold
- Knowledge of RF (radio frequency) applications and their requirements
- Basic awareness of market pricing for metals
- Research the properties of copper and silver in electrical applications
- Explore the role of gold in high-end electrical connectors
- Investigate the use of silver plating in RF components
- Learn about the economics of metal pricing and its impact on material selection in electrical engineering
Electrical engineers, materials scientists, and professionals involved in the design and manufacturing of electrical wiring and components.
- #2
vk6kro
Science Advisor
- 4,079
- 41
Silver is a good conductor but not all that much better than Copper which is a lot cheaper.
As you can see from the following table of resistivities, Silver is only 8% better than Copper as a conductor
Silver 1.59×10−8
Copper 1.72×10−8
Gold 2.44×10−8
Aluminium 2.82×10−8
Today,
a Kilogram of Silver is worth US$526
a Kilogram of Copper is worth US$5.84.
Gold is worth US$996 per OUNCE or US$32021 a Kilogram
As you can see from the following table of resistivities, Silver is only 8% better than Copper as a conductor
Silver 1.59×10−8
Copper 1.72×10−8
Gold 2.44×10−8
Aluminium 2.82×10−8
Today,
a Kilogram of Silver is worth US$526
a Kilogram of Copper is worth US$5.84.
Gold is worth US$996 per OUNCE or US$32021 a Kilogram
Last edited:
- #3
Bob S
- 4,662
- 8
Hello Mission Z-
During WW II, one or more Calutron magnets (very big dipole magnets) at Oak Ridge used for separating U235 from U238 (isotope separation) had silver coils. This apparently was because copper for shell casings (ordnance) was in short supply, and Fort Knox had a very large stash of silver bars. I also understand that coils in military transmitters had solid, rather than silver-plated, coils. I think all of these silver coils have been melted down. The U.S stopped making silver coins about 1966.
Bob S
During WW II, one or more Calutron magnets (very big dipole magnets) at Oak Ridge used for separating U235 from U238 (isotope separation) had silver coils. This apparently was because copper for shell casings (ordnance) was in short supply, and Fort Knox had a very large stash of silver bars. I also understand that coils in military transmitters had solid, rather than silver-plated, coils. I think all of these silver coils have been melted down. The U.S stopped making silver coins about 1966.
Bob S
- #4
Lancelot59
- 640
- 1
For the most part we use copper because it has good conductivity, and also because it's relatively cheap. Gold is used in high end applications, but as you can imagine it's expensive.
The only other metal I know of that gets used commonly is aluminum for the main lines in houses and such.
The only other metal I know of that gets used commonly is aluminum for the main lines in houses and such.
- #5
Maccara
- 12
- 0
Lancelot59 said:
Copper is still a better conductor than gold. Gold is mainly used in connectors due to its resistance to corrosion.
(unless with high end you mean hifi, where there are claims gold cables "sound" better
) (of course not backed up by any science at all, but that's not surprising considering they also use cable stands to give the sound some "air" 
)- #6
Mike_In_Plano
- 700
- 35
I still see silver plating used in RF work. Due to the shallow skin depth at higher frequencies, it's practical to plate waveguides, resonators, and coils for matching networks. Thus Q values are increased and losses are reduced.
I've also seen copper plated aluminum used for the center conductor of CATV lines. I assume this is because copper is more expensive than aluminum, but again, only a thin layer is needed.
- Mike
I've also seen copper plated aluminum used for the center conductor of CATV lines. I assume this is because copper is more expensive than aluminum, but again, only a thin layer is needed.
- Mike