In electrical applications, copper and its alloys play a very important role, due to their inherent unique mechanical and physical properties.

Copper has the highest electrical conductivity of the commercial metals, except silver. The electrical conductivity of annealed copper at 20°C (68°F) is the standard to which all other metals and alloys are compared. It is arbitrarily established at 100% IACS (International Annealed Copper Standard). Of equal importance are its strength, formability, ease of joining, resistance to creep, high thermal conductivity, and resistance to corrosion.

The high electrical conductivity of copper means that a smaller conductor size is required, compared with other materials, to carry the power load for a particular service, which is a very important factor. Less expense is incurred in providing the insulation, shielding and armouring the cables. The smaller size provides greater cable flexibility, ease of installation and transportation.

Copper cables are easily joined because copper does not form a tough non-conducting oxide on its surface. The oxide film that forms is thin, strongly adherent and electrically conductive. A large proportion of the wire and cable used in buildings, involve single-conductor connections, for which copper's resistance to creep is a distinct advantage.

With all metals, electrical conductivity varies with temperature. If a metal becomes over-heated from inadvertent electrical overload, then its conductivity is reduced, which aggravates the temperature situation. Copper is well known for its excellent performance under such adverse conditions.

The unique characteristics of copper are the reason for there being so many different types of copper-conductor cables available, from the very large to the extremely fine, making them extremely versatile and the chosen product for an extensive range of applications. Important advantages of copper installations are high performance, reliability and low maintenance