Kuparilanka

Kuparilanka is a Finnish term that refers to copper wire, a conductive material widely used in electrical and electronic applications. The word combines kupari (copper) with lanka (wire) and in Finnish technical language can denote both bare and insulated conductors of various sizes, whether solid or stranded.

Properties and types: Copper wire is valued for its high electrical conductivity, good ductility, and resistance to corrosion. At room temperature its resistivity is about 1.68 × 10^-8 ohm-meters, varying slightly with temperature. Wires come in several forms, including bare copper wire for grounding and power transmission, insulated copper wire with polymer or enamel insulation, and magnet wire, which is thin enamel-coated copper used in windings. Stranded wires consist of multiple fine strands for flexibility, while solid wires are single solid conductors.

Manufacturing: Copper wire is produced by drawing copper metal through a series of dies to reach the desired cross-section. After drawing, many wires are annealed to improve ductility. Insulation is applied by extrusion of polymer jackets for general wiring or by enamel coating for magnet wire.

Applications: Copper wire is used in building electrical installations, consumer electronics, motors and transformers, power distribution, and communication cables. The choice of wire size and insulation depends on voltage, current rating, temperature tolerance, and safety standards.

Sizes and standards: Conductor size is commonly expressed in cross-sectional area (square millimeters) or in American Wire Gauge (AWG). Insulation thickness and material are specified to meet electrical codes and equipment requirements.

Recycling and safety: Copper is highly recyclable and recycling reduces resource use. Work with copper wire should follow applicable electrical codes, safety practices, and manufacturer instructions.