Copper wiring

Copper is the conductor in most home wiring. Southwire notes that copper offers lower resistance than aluminum, which helps limit voltage drop. A CPSC survey found that homes built before 1972 and wired with aluminum were 55 times more likely to have outlet connections reach fire hazard conditions than homes wired with copper.

Copper wire comes in solid and stranded forms, in many sizes of wire gauge. Older aluminum wiring needs special attention. A licensed electrician can tell you what a home has. See aluminum wiring in older DFW homes.