Copper ground wires have long been the industry standard for underground wire installations in distribution networks. NKT, the leading cable and cable accessories supplier to the energy sector, has developed an option made of corrosion-resistant aluminium.
NKT is ready to deliver AX PRO after ten years of development, including multiple trial installations and patent work. AX PRO is an aluminium ground wire with a low total cost of ownership and enhanced corrosion resistance while maintaining good reliability and performance.
AX PRO is made up of seven separate coated aluminium wires. All wires are cabled to a single coherent product that requires no additional material to hold it together. Spreading the wires apart is only beneficial because the contact surface to the ground rises, improving the electrical connection to the ground. Furthermore, the industry receives an aluminium ground wire with a lower total cost of ownership than its copper counterpart.
AX PRO is corrosion protected using a unique polyolefin. Polyolefin is highly conductive and mechanically robust. Avoiding bare aluminium in the ground with electric current avoids corrosion and interruption of the current path. Additionally, AX PRO is the only earth system offering status diagnosis possibility to predict the lifetime.
Compared to a copper equivalent, AX PRO is incredibly light per metre. This allows longer delivery lengths while maintaining the same weight as the copper wire. The low weight per meter and polyolefin on the metal result in lower scrap value than a traditional copper solution, making this product less attractive to be stolen.
Corrosion-protected aluminium has the same electrical performance as copper ground wires while being more ecologically friendly and cost-effective. The corrosion-protective polyolefin is very mechanically durable and has excellent electrical conductivity. The ground wire can be installed in concrete, earth, air and water. Unlike copper, the product is also suitable for installation in acidic environments.
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