Oxygen Free Copper? Top 5 Reasons Your Emergency Circuits Need It.

"Oxygen Free Copper" (OFC) is a term, that has been thrown around in the electrical sphere for more than the 20+ years I have been in the industry. It is sometimes talked about as the holy grail of copper, and after a fashion, it is!.

In fact, it has a long history and is crucial for applications in the world of power distribution, especially in Emergency Life Safety Circuits.

The Secrets of Oxygen Free Copper (OFC)

Why Is There Oxygen In Copper Anyway?

To begin with , pure copper is not something normally found in a natural deposit, but is often a mix of copper bearing ores, which typically contain oxygen-laden copper oxides, such as cuprite and malachite .

The other avenue, that introduces oxygen, into the copper bearing material, is smelting , which forces oxygen into the process, so that the impurities of iron and Sulphur, in the ore, condense into iron sulphides, for easy removal.

OFC Origins: A Brief History Lesson

What exactly is Oxygen Free Copper, and where did it come from?

Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) is a high-conductivity copper alloy with an incredibly low oxygen content. The story of its discovery dates back to the mid-20th century when metallurgists were on a quest to create copper with unparalleled purity and conductivity. This pursuit led to the development of OFC.

At the turn of the century, copper was refined through traditional methods that left small traces of oxygen and other impurities. These impurities limited its conductivity and made it less suitable for critical electrical applications.

Oxygen Free Copper (OFC) is produced by carefully refining copper through a process where it is electrolytically refined to zero out the oxygen. In reality the oxygen content is typically 0.001% to 0.003%.

Oxygen-free copper is available in the following three grades:

• C10100 (OFE): 99.99% pure copper with 0.0005% oxygen content
• C10200 (OF): 99.95% pure copper with 0.001% oxygen content
• C11000 (ETP): 99.9% pure copper with 0.02% to 0.04% oxygen content.

This very high purity enhances the electrical conductivity, making it ideal for numerous applications, especially those where electrical reliability is a must.

Explainer: What is Electrolytic refining? It is a process of refining a metal by the process of electrolysis. During electrolysis, a slab of impure metal is used as the anode , with a strip of pure metal as the cathode . In this scenario, an electrolyte (metal salt aqueous solution), depending on the metal, is often used. A pure metal is formed at the cathode when a current of a nominal voltage is applied by dissolving impure metal at the anode. Electrolytic refining is also sometimes referred to as electrorefining.

A Cut Above the Rest: OFC vs. Regular Copper

So why use OFC when "standard" copper would do?

Basically, OFC offers superior electrical performance.

Scenario: Your a contractor with a Fire Pump or Emergency Generator Circuit. In a life safety circuit like this, you can't afford even the slightest hiccup. OFC's high conductivity ensures minimal power loss and maximum efficiency. It can carry electrical currents more efficiently than standard copper, reducing heat generation and voltage drop. This can be a game changer in an emergency, where every bit of power counts.

The Top 5 Reasons Your Emergency Circuits Need OFC!

Wiring for Emergencies: The Importance of OFC in Life Safety Circuits

Emergency Life Safety Circuits, such as Fire Pump or Emergency Generator Circuits, are the bulwark in safeguarding lives and property. When disaster strikes, these systems must pounce into action without hesitation. OFC can make the difference.

1. Minimizing Voltage Drop: One of the key challenges in emergency circuits is voltage drop. As current travels through a conductor, there's a natural voltage drop due to resistance. OFC's lack of impurities, including oxygen, generate exceptional conductivity, and as a result reduces these losses known a voltage drop, ensuring that the emergency devices connected to the circuit receive the necessary power even when the length of the cable is significant.
2. Heat Resistance: During an emergency, these circuits may be subjected to extreme conditions. OFC's superior heat resistance ensures that it can handle the elevated temperatures often present in emergency situations. This means your cables won't fail when they're needed most. OFC also finishes with a higher soften temperature than standard copper.
3. Reliability: In an emergency, you can't afford a cable failure. OFC's high-quality construction and purity make it a reliable choice. You can trust it to perform when it matters most.
4. Conductor Strength: Standard copper conductors can become brittle at high temperatures and a subject to breaking if any tension is placed on them. OFC conductors resist this embrittlement to provide a strong contiguous path for current to flow.
5. Corrosion Resistance: The high level of refinement in the OFC production process reduces impurities to almost zero, so these other parties don't act a a catalyst factor introducing corrosion conditions.

Final Thought: Oxygen Free Copper Is for Critical Circuits

By minimizing voltage drop, resisting heat, and retaining strength, OFC ensures that your Emergency Systems operate flawlessly when called to perform.

References:

1. Copper Development Association
2. Industrial Metal Service - Pure Copper vs. Oxygen Free Copper
3. GearIT - Copper Clad Aluminum vs. Oxygen Free Copper
4. LinkedIn - Oxygen-Free High-Conductivity Copper Explained
5. National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) 20 Standard for the Installation of Stationary Pumps for Fire Protection
6. National Electrical Code (NEC)
7. Canadian Electrical Code (CEC)