Aluminum conductors must be cleaned before splicing or making a connection to ensure a low-resistance connection.

Aluminum conductors must be cleaned before splicing or making a connection to ensure a low-resistance connection.

• A. Heatproof
• B. Low-resistance
• C. High-resistance
• D. Weatherproof

Answer: (B)

Aluminum conductors quickly form an oxide film that is insulating, so any dirt or oxide on the surface increases contact resistance when you splice or connect. Cleaning removes that oxide and contaminants, exposing fresh metal for solid metal-to-metal contact and a low-resistance connection. A clean connection reduces heating and voltage drop, improving reliability. The other options don’t fit because heatproof and weatherproof describe protections unrelated to the quality of the electrical contact, and high-resistance would defeat the goal of a good, reliable splice.

Aluminum conductors quickly form an oxide film that is insulating, so any dirt or oxide on the surface increases contact resistance when you splice or connect. Cleaning removes that oxide and contaminants, exposing fresh metal for solid metal-to-metal contact and a low-resistance connection. A clean connection reduces heating and voltage drop, improving reliability. The other options don’t fit because heatproof and weatherproof describe protections unrelated to the quality of the electrical contact, and high-resistance would defeat the goal of a good, reliable splice.