I found out my home has aluminum wiring. This can be a fire hazard if not repaired properly. In this article, I will explain what aluminum wiring is, the dangers it poses, how to identify it, and the steps for fixing it correctly.
What is Aluminum Wiring?
Aluminum wiring became popular in houses built between 1965 and 1973 because it was cheaper than copper. However, aluminum expands more than copper and can loosen at connections. This leads to overheating, arcing, and potential fires.
Aluminum wiring is identified by its dull gray color and the letters "AL" stamped along the insulation. It may be found connecting outlets, switches, lights, the breaker box, and major appliances.
Dangers of Aluminum Wiring
The dangers of untreated aluminum wiring are:
- Overheating at connections leading to melting and fires
- Loose connections that arc, spark, and catch fire
- Faulty circuits due to poor conductivity of aluminum versus copper
- Increased risk of electrocution and shock
According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission, aluminum wiring leads to over 50 deaths and 400 injuries each year. Fires, property damage, and power failures are also risks.
Identifying Aluminum Wiring
To find out if your home has aluminum wiring:
- Check the breaker box for aluminum wires entering and connecting to breakers
- Remove outlet and switch covers to inspect wires connecting to them
- Identify large appliance connections behind units
- Inspect wire color and labeling - aluminum will be a dull gray and labeled AL
If unsure, contact a qualified electrician to identify wiring materials used in your home's circuits.
Fixing Aluminum Wiring
Properly repairing aluminum wiring involves:
Pigtailing
- Turn off power at the breaker
- Remove the outlet/switch and disconnect the aluminum wires
- Attach a short 6-8 inch piece of copper wire (pigtail) to each aluminum wire using special CO/ALR connectors
- Use copper wire to connect the outlet/switch and pigtails
Alumiconn Connectors
These are splice connectors that have a core of copper surrounded by aluminum. This eliminates the copper-aluminum connection issue.
COPALUM Crimp Connectors
These crimp onto aluminum wires after brushing off the insulation. A CO/ALR connector then attaches the COPALUM to copper.
Replace Outlets and Switches
Replace old outlets/switches with CO/ALR rated models that reduce heat issues with aluminum.
Rewire Circuit with Copper
Replacing the aluminum wiring with new copper provides the safest and most robust repair. I recommend hiring an electrician for this option.
Preventing Aluminum Wiring Fires
To stay safe after repairs:
- Avoid overloading circuits - don't use high-draw appliances on a single circuit
- Use arc-fault circuit breakers (AFCI) which detect dangerous arcing
- Have wiring inspected regularly by an electrician
Properly repairing aluminum wiring reduces the safety risks it poses. Follow the steps outlined above to fix aluminum wiring and protect your home and family. Let me know if you have any other questions!