Aluminum wiring

In addition, the presence of single-strand aluminum wiring may void a home’s insurance policies. Inspectors may instruct their clients to talk with their insurance agents about whether the presence of aluminum wiring in their home is a hazar a defect, and a problem that requires changes to their policy language.

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.

What does the Code (NEC) say?

How can it be fixed? We’ve had lots of clients ask, “Is it safe? Should it be replaced? The short answer is that it is safe and does not need to be replaced.

They will also be able to assess the condition of the wiring and recommend a course of action to ensure fire prevention. Look online to find a local electrician and book an appointment. For the most part, homeowners have no problems with aluminum wiring, but when incorrect receptacles or conductors are installe the threat of a hazard is likely.

For decades this type of wiring has been publicized as a potential fire and safety hazard.

First, aluminum is cheaper than copper. Secon there wasn’t much information regarding the dangers of aluminum wiring.

Simple visual inspection can find aluminum wiring and with a bit more visual inspection one can determine if it has been properly repaired to make it safe. After each cycle, aluminum tends to lose more of its tightness. This process is often referred to as "cold creep.

This wiring can be identified by the letters AL or the word ALUMINUM stamped on the plastic covering or cable. Alcan makes both copper and aluminum wiring for residential purposes. It takes only one pound of aluminum to equal the current-carrying capacity of two pounds of copper making it an extremely attractive material for utilities, builders and others.

As a result, an aluminum wired house is more at risk to reach hazardous fire conditions at the outlet wiring connections rather than homes that are wired with copper wires. The concern with aluminum wiring is that it is very unforgiving if it has been installed incorrectly. Consumer Product Safety Commission and is not advised for electrical wiring any longer.

An insurance company may insure the home if the homeowner completes certain repairs. I have followed all the codes you have listed here. Also, this is not a new installation.

If you follow these easy steps you can make your new home a safe one for you and your family. There are ways to deal with aluminum wiring in the home. The home that I live in now has aluminum wiring.

It bothered me at the time and I almost didn’t buy. As mentioned above, aluminum wiring can be just as safe as copper when properly installed.

Once the norm due to wartime rationing of copper, aluminum wiring went out of style a few decades ago. Despite the appeal of its low cost, aluminum acquired a bad reputation due to safety concerns.

It is estimated by the BC Safety Authority that there are over 450homes in Canada wired entirely with aluminum wiring. Problems began to surface where aluminum was used.

Simple pig-tails will cost the least but are temporary fixes that require ongoing maintenance by an electrician to re-tighten the connections. Rewiring the entire home will cost the.