The standard conductor material used in low-voltage cable is which?

• A. Aluminum
• B. Stranded copper
• C. Copper-clad aluminum
• D. Annealed (soft) solid copper

Answer: (D)

Copper is the standard conductor material for low-voltage cable because it combines excellent electrical conductivity with reliable, easy-term termination properties. Using annealed (soft) solid copper makes this even more practical: the softer metal is easier to bend, crimp, and solder without cracking, which helps when pulling cables through conduit and making connections at devices. Solid conductors are common in fixed, low-voltage installations, while stranded copper is chosen when more flexibility is needed. Aluminum and copper-clad aluminum are lighter and cheaper but have higher resistivity and more challenging terminations, so they aren’t the default choice for typical low-voltage cabling.