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The best step is to call in professionals for an evaluation. Homeowners can perform a more thorough inspection, but doing so can be hazardous. Letting experienced pros do the work can get you a quick answer while providing peace of mind about your family’s and home’s safety. Even if after 45 years you have not experienced any indication of trouble with your aluminum wiring, it’s a good idea to have it repaired or replaced. Easily recognizable signs include flickering lights, hot light switch or outlet plates, dead circuits or even the smell of burning plastic. All of the homes here in Central Florida are wired with either aluminum or copper wiring.
The downfall was that the wire was exposed and there was no ground wire used. The rubber would also dry out and start to crack so the insulation could fall off when disturbed. Larry Campbell is an electrical contractor with 36 years of experience in residential and light commercial electrical wiring. He worked as an electronic technician and later an engineer for the IBM Corp. is a member of The Spruce Home Improvement Review Board.
Electrical device ratings
Aluminum wire is actually 200% more effective as a conductor than copper by weight. For this reason, it is used extensively in high voltage distribution lines. In general, 99% of ALL electrical fires are the result of installation/workmanship issues. In the case of solid aluminum wiring, it is almost always the connections that will fail – not the material. Fortunately, we have some effective tools to deal with this older, if not somewhat forgotten safety hazard.
It makes this repair system accessible to individuals that may be improperly trained/ill equipped to successfully repair the system property. In researching this updated article, most insurance companies would not comment directly on underwriting policy. Of those that did, one indicated that solid aluminum wiring might trigger a requirement for an electrical inspection before a policy is issued.
LEARN MORE ABOUT ALUMINUM WIRED HOMES IN FLORIDA:
Basically pigtailing what just using a wirenut to connect the Al wire to a short piece of Cu wire that connected to the outlet or switch or whatever. But the history of residential wiring is one of the periodic innovations that can revolutionize the industry. It is possible that another such innovation looms on the near horizon.
You need to ensure that you tighten the screws as indicated in the manual for the best results. If done correctly, the tight screws will offer a safe and long-term solution you may rely on. Aluminum wiring is plagued with several issues that are hard to ignore. Most homeowners console themselves that their wiring has been around for more than 50 years. In normal circumstances, that is a commendable achievement.
Is Aluminum Wiring Safe? Common Problems and Safety Issues
The CO/ALR rating is only available for standard light switches and receptacles; CU/AL is the standard connection marking for circuit breakers and larger equipment. Although aluminum wiring can conduct electricity safely, it is not considered safe to wire homes with due to the poor electrical connections that cause increased fire hazards. Surprisingly, aluminum wiring is commonly and safely used for power grids, utility companies, and even in some airplanes. It’s also softer than copper and expands more when it heats up. The excessive heat affects the soft metal, which is more prone to warping over time. The shape and size fluctuations cause the wires to come loose from their connections.
Unfortunately, there has been no research into the performance of the old and new solid aluminum wire alloys with both steel and brass connections to determine what impact the terminals had on connection performance. The National Electrical Code® has recognized conductors made of aluminum since for many years. Aluminum wiring was UL listed for residential use in 1946. The use of aluminum wire for feeders and service entrances was common by the early 1950’s and continues today. In the early 1960’s, Kaiser Aluminum and other aluminum manufacturers introduced solid-wire aluminum non-metallic sheathed cable. This wire was installed in the same manner as copper conductors, often with disastrous results.
However, you’ll still need to install pigtail copper to aluminum using twister Al/Cu wire connectors or another aluminum/copper rated connector for other circuits and inside junction boxes. Also, due to the significant difference in thermal expansion rates of older aluminum wire and steel termination screws connections can loosen over time allowing the formation of some additional oxide on the wire. However, oxidation was found not to be a substantial factor in failures of aluminum wire terminations.
The outer jacket of aluminum wiring came in a few variants that I’ve seen. Most common a white rubber jacket, sometimes a white braided cloth, and sometimes a black rubber jacket. If you have romex in an unfinished part of the home you will be able to read right off of the jacket to see if it is aluminum. DO NOT touch any of the wires, even if they look like they’re in good shape.
This alloy, along with AA and AA-8176 , performs mechanically like copper. I cannot remember the technical term for the “bridges” though. A number of 1970’s solid aluminum wire systems were assembled with copper pigtails between the aluminum conductors and devices or fixtures. The copper pigtails eliminate the problems posed by the direct connection of aluminum to the devices. However, the problem with this method is that the pigtail connections themselves then become the weak point.
Over time this swelling and shrinking can cause a loose connection. Aluminum is Soft– When you tighten the set screw down on an outlet or switch, the aluminum wire will actually continue to flatten out a bit over time – even after you stop torquing the screw. When I’m performing ahome inspectionon a house built around 1970, I usually get the question, “Does it have aluminum wire? ” Let’s talk about what the issue is, and what your options are if you are looking to buy a house that has aluminum branch wiring in it. You can tell if you have aluminum wire in your home by checking your electrical panel or looking at cables running through the basement or attic.
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