Comment Utilities use Aluminum (Score 1) 288
Tin, nickel, gold, copper, steel... what haven't I seen used for connectors? Aluminum, that's about it. I think we all know why, but the sparks that shot out of the outlets in the mobile home in which I spent many of my formative years due to oxidation of the aluminum wiring are a big clue if anyone doesn't
Electric Power Utilities are heavy users of tin-plated aluminum connectors. They are normally used with aluminum cable, so you don't have fewer issues with thermal expansion, etc.
Using aluminum cable with copper connectors will generally result in cold-flow degradation of the connection, leading to overheating and fire.