Copper-clad aluminum wire is made of solid aluminum cor […]
Copper-clad aluminum wire is made of solid aluminum core wrapped with copper skin to improve its performance in the field. Copper-clad aluminum wire consists of a solid aluminum core covered with a thin copper cladding. About 10% of the conductor cross-sectional area is copper clad, and the thickness is not specified.
Copper-clad aluminum wire has a thin copper sheath and an aluminum core. So when installed and visible in the main electrical service panel, it looks like "fat" copper wire, and at the cut end, the copper skin appears to be "painted" over the aluminum core.
The markings on the cable jacket include "Al" or "Aluminum". There is no known history of connection overheating issues associated with copper clad aluminum wire. Copper-clad aluminum wire does not require any corrective action.
