Good Conductivity

Have you ever wondered why some materials are especially good at letting electricity pass through them, while others stop electricity in its tracks?

Some substances have atoms with electrons that like to stick to the nucleus and stay fixed in their orbit.

The electrons will not easily break away so the substance will not conduct electricity. The substances made up of such atoms make good insulators.

Other substances, like most metals, have electrons that can easily break away from their atoms and move around. These loose electrons are called free electrons.

Gold, silver, copper, aluminium, iron, etc., all have free electrons. The loose electrons make it easy for electricity to flow through these materials, so they are good electrical conductors. ActewAGL uses copper or aluminium for its conductors.

Learn more about electrical safety.