Aluminum Wire Burned Outlet

When I'm performing a home inspection on a house built around 1970, I normally become the question, "Does information technology accept aluminum wire?" Permit's talk well-nigh what the upshot is, and what your options are if you are looking to purchase a house that has aluminum co-operative wiring in it.

Branch Circuit Aluminum Wiring

Co-operative circuits are circuits that power the "pocket-size" stuff similar your lights, outlets, and small-scale machines (call up dishwasher, disposal, etc.)

Aluminum wiring was first used as branch circuits around 1965 during a copper shortage and was used in homes until the mid-1970s.  It'south the small 15 and 20 amp breakers in your electrical console.The larger wires (unremarkably 240v stuff) and the main power lines coming into the home are typically aluminum merely do not take the same bug that the co-operative circuit wiring.

Why is Aluminum Wiring a Problem?

The Consumer Product Safe Commission (CPSC) released a "Repairing Aluminum Wiring" pamphlet that you lot can download hither.  Don't be foolish and endeavor to use information technology as a how-to guide.  It'southward meant to explain what can exist done by an electrician who knows what he or she is doing.  Here are some interesting facts for you:

  • In that location are an estimated 2 million homes wired with aluminum wire.
  • The problem is the connection points and splices at junction boxes, outlets, switches, etc.
  • A national survey conducted past Franklin Research Plant for CPSC showed that homes built earlier 1972, and wired with aluminum, are55 times more than probable to have one or more wire connections at outlets reach "Burn Hazard Conditions" than homes wired with copper.
  • On April 28, 1974, 2 people died in a abode in Hampton Bays, North.Y. Fire officials determined that the burn down was caused by an overheated aluminum wire connection at a wall receptacle.

When I observe aluminum wiring, information technology seems I e'er get the question, "Do y'all remember information technology will be a problem?"  Some other pop thing I hear is "If it hasn't been an issue in 40 years, information technology probably won't e'er exist ane."  Await….what?  People downplay the issue in their minds because of the scope of the potential problem.  Information technology'southward non convenient for them to take to bargain with this right now.  But it is real, and it tin can't be ignored.

Aluminum and Copper Wire
Here you can see what aluminum wire looks like next to copper wire in an electric panel.

What are the problems with Aluminum Wiring?

Aluminum wiring has several unique traits that its copper counterpart does not.  All of these add upwards to the reason it's no longer used.

  • Aluminum is Soft – When you tighten the set screw down on an outlet or switch, the aluminum wire will actually keep to flatten out a scrap over time – even later on you terminate torquing the screw.  This volition cause a loose connectedness.  Loose connections cause arcing.  Arcing causes fires.
  • Thermal Movement – Everything moves with temperature.  Aluminum wire is no different.  When the wire has electrical current flowing through it, it heats up. When information technology heats up it expands.  The result is that aluminum expands more than copper. Over time this swelling and shrinking can crusade a loose connection.  Again, arcing and fire.
  • Oxidation – When the aluminum wire is exposed to oxygen it oxidizes. This byproduct is called aluminum oxide.  This stuff can deteriorate the connection.
  • Corrosion –  When moisture is added to the mix of aluminum wire, you lot get galvanic corrosion at the connections.
Receptacles damaged from fire - Aluminum Wiring
Fire damaged receptacles from aluminum wire connections.
Aluminum Wire Burned Outlet
Hither is an outlet that Dwelling Inspector Charles Buell of Seattle Discovered.

I Have Aluminum Wiring in My Home!

The first thing you do is get an electricianexperiencedwith aluminumwiring to come cheque every connection they tin possibly get to in the house.  Will they be able to check them all?  Doubtful.  Most houses take junctions behind drywall or in the attic we can't see or know they are even in that location.According to the rules,there should never be curtained junctions, but the reality is that people don't always obey the rules.  Having ol' sparky come check things out tin can be pricey, just his business firm call is much cheaper than a business firm burn.

What can be done to minimize the risk of aluminum wiring?

There are several products on the market designed to help minimize the hazard when dealing with aluminum wiring.

1.  One of the more than pop products I find people knowsomething about are the specially rated outlets and switches fabricated for aluminum and copper wires. These are marked with aCO/ALR on them.   CO=copper – ALR=Aluminum.Would you lot know to get these for your house if you had aluminum wire?

Here is a scenario for you lot:

Being the hip, young couple that you are, you're ready to tackle some DIYing this Saturday.  So your normal Friday movie date is replaced with a shopping trip to Lowe's.  You get your paint, brushes, tape, floor and so on.  Your better half proclaims those ugly almond outlets take got to go in lieu of some dainty new white ones.  No worries, right?

You stroll to the electrical aisle and reach for those shiny white outlets.  You demand 5 for the living room.  Improve get 6, just in example.  How much?  $.68 cents.  No sweat.

You grab your 6 outlets and start to walk away.  Out of the corner of your eye you lot run into some other receptacle that looks identical to the one in your mitt, except information technology's almost $4 bucks.  What?  $four for one!  I don't think so.  Allow's curlicue babe.

2.  There are special connectors called AlumiConn bachelor.  These are approved  past the CPSC, but at nearly $4 each, they are non a cheap option.  Understand that is $4 per wire; per connexion.

AlumiConn Connector
AlumiConn Connector are used to isolate the copper-to-aluminum wire connection.

three.  Some other production is theCOPALUM connector.  This organisation uses a special clamp, crimping tool, and estrus-shrink to create a copper pigtail off the aluminum wiring.  You must be certified to utilize this system.  Some areas don't take anyone available who is certified in using the COPALUM organisation.

COPALUM Connections
COPALUM Connectors splice onto the old aluminum wire

4.  Total Replacement of the aluminum wire itself.  This is, of grade, the safest of all options.  It is too the almost expensive.  Cost volition vary, as every house is unlike in the process used to supplant the wire.  You'll need to speak with an electrician to get an thought of what you tin can expect.  Keep in heed this is typically thousands of dollars.  It's not a cheap process.

If yous have aluminum wiring in your abode, y'all demand to get that electrician out at that place ASAP.  If y'all are non sure if you have aluminum wiring or not, a reputable home inspector in your area should be able to come out and  take a await for you.  You shouldn't take the cover off of your electrical panel yourself unless you know what you are doing.  There are things in there that volition kill you.

You accept options in what tin practise.  Yous tin can repair or supervene upon.  Either is meliorate than cypher at all.  And when it comes to situations like this; it'south never a trouble until it becomes 1.

Avatar of Ben Hendricks

Hullo, I'm Ben, and I audit houses. I grew upwards with a hammer in my hand, and have been a professional home inspector for fourteen years. My web log is here for info about home inspections effectually the Louisville, Kentucky area, and but about annihilation structure-related.