Dave Butler wrote:
: Why isn't it a problem connecting dissimilar metals Cu-Al in a high-current
: application like that?

: I know of course that Al starter cables are used in lots of aviation
: applications, and eventually they have to connect to some kind of copper at the
: starter, but why isn't there a corrosion problem?

There often is. That's why "copper battery cables" are high on the list of
desirable modifications. The galvanic corrosion causes (relatively) high
resistance.
In theory, aluminum battery cables are *great* on an aircraft... really good
conductivity at much less weight. Especially for long battery cables. Just need to
keep the corrosion problem at bay.

FWIW, electrical lugs are often rated for both Cu and Al.

-Cory

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* Cory Papenfuss *
* Electrical Engineering candidate Ph.D. graduate student *
* Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University *
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