This group of materials is especially arc and electric wear resistant and is used in high and medium voltage switchgears. In these applications CUW shows its high resistance to thermal and mechanical shocks. An additional field of application of CUW materials are electrodes for lighting protection devices.

 In the most severe applications associated with power generation and transmission the switch may be totally immersed in oil. In these cases there is no advantage in using the tarnish resistant silver-based materials, as oxidation is prevented by the exclusion of air. Copper tungsten contacts are widely used in these cases, the selection of the grade used being dependent on the relative importance of conductivity and arc resistance.