Copper vs Aluminium Power Cable: Cost & Ampacity Comparison of N2XY and NA2XY
N2XY (copper conductor) and NA2XY (aluminium conductor) are unarmored, XLPE-insulated, PVC-sheathed power cables rated at 0.6/1 kV, manufactured according to IEC 60502-1[1] and VDE 0276-603 standards. The fundamental operational difference lies in conductor electrical conductivity: copper delivers higher conductivity (58 MS/m58\text{ MS/m} vs. aluminium’s 37 MS/m37\text{ MS/m})[2], giving N2XY approximately 25–30% higher current-carrying capacity (ampacity) than NA2XY […]