Aluminum Wiring Can Be Hazardous, Here's What to do About ...

Aluminum Wiring. Fix the problem. Completely rewiring your home isn’t practical in most situations—it means tearing into walls and ceilings. But an electrician can make the connections safe by adding a short section of copper wire to the end of each aluminum wire.That way, copper rather than aluminum will be connected to each switch, outlet or other device.

Aluminum building wiring is a type of electrical wiring for residential construction or houses that uses aluminum electrical conductors. Aluminum provides a better conductivity to weight ratio than copper, and therefore is also used for wiring power grids, including overhead power transmission lines and local power distribution lines, as well as for power wiring of some airplanes.

Between approximately 1965 and 1973, single-strand (solid) aluminum wiring was sometimes substituted for copper branch-circuit wiring in residential electrical systems due to the sudden escalating price of copper. After a decade of use by homeowners and electricians, inherent weaknesses were discovered in the metal that lead to its disuse as a branch wiring material.

Aluminum wiring was used extensively in Canada from the mid 1960’s through the mid 1970’s. Initially, aluminum wiring was chosen for its low cost compared to the more expensive copper wiring. Some houses are wired completely with aluminum or copper. Others have a combination of both.

In some cases, copper and aluminum wiring in houses have been combined over the years. This can pose an extreme hazard unless all the proper aluminum-to-copper connectors have been used. Because of the different degrees of expansion and contractions, gaps can occur, causing serious fire concerns.

Aluminum Wire Hazards vs. Copper Wire Aluminum wiring is more likely to cause a fire than copper wire for a variety of reasons. First, aluminum expands more than copper when there is an electrical current running through it, making it easier for aluminum to creep out from under terminal screws and to cause loose connections that overheat.

If the aluminum wiring is in good condition, the latter, not the former, may apply. If you are trying to avoid the repairs for a while, have an electrician who specializes in aluminum wiring repairs inspect some heavily used circuits, then repeat the process once a year. Aluminum wiring in good condition is better off left undisturbed.

Residential installations between 1965 and 1974 sometimes used wires that were solid aluminum, or aluminum covered with a thin layer of copper. Aluminum (AU) or copper-coated aluminum (AL-CU) wiring is perfectly safe if connected to receptacles, switches, and other devices rated for use with aluminum, but it can pose problems when it's installed with devices intended for use with copper wiring ...

Most branch circuit wiring in homes is 14 gauge copper. The equivalent aluminum wire is 12 gauge. Remember, though: 12 gauge is larger than 14! The installation methods were exactly the same for aluminum as for copper. The Issues. Shortly after aluminum wiring became popular, some problems started to appear.

If the aluminum wiring is in good condition and you are trying to delay the repairs for a while, have an electrician with experience in aluminum wiring repairs inspect some heavily used circuits, then go over the process once a year. Aluminum Wiring & Insurance Coverage