tell me what you know about aluminum wiring (home)

[x3ro]

The house my fiance and I are buying was built in '73 and consists of aluminum wiring..

Obviously, at nearly a 1/4 of the price of the house, having the house totally rewire with copper is very cost prohibitive...

I've read a little on COPALUM crimping, and it seems relatively costly, as well. Our inspector said that the best/cheapest solution for now would be to get CO/ALR outlets and switches for the house (as the current outlets are all copper only outlets).

What's different about CO/ALR outlets, and does anyone have pics of the backside??

Please let me know whatever you know

 

[IamElectro]

The switches and outlets use different metals on the connection points that do not react with aluminum. That is the only difference that I know of.

 

[woowoo]

I know it is nothing but trouble.
You better be getting the house real cheap

 

[jemcam]

All I know about it is that aluminum wiring overheats and starts fires frequently.

 

[OrByte]

no no I wouldnt call it a BUNCH of trouble its just outdated

have a certified electrician take a look at the wiring to make sure that it doesnt need to be replaced (could be $$ if it does)

aluminum wiring gets brittle over time. It also expands and shrinks due to the temp changes. Are you in a hot region? this expanding loosens the wiring over time so make sure all the wiring into the breaker box is nice and snug. There is some type of compound out that you treat the wiring with to condition it so that it doesnt expand...I dont remember what it is called.

thats all I remember about aluminum wiring. My house I just sold (built in 1970) had aluminum wiring, the only thing the electrican did was visually inspect the breaker box, tighten the screws on the circuits because the wiring worked its way loose, and treated it with this greasy chemical stuff.

 

[x3ro]

Originally posted by: jemcam
All I know about it is that aluminum wiring overheats and starts fires frequently.

From what I've read thus far, it's not quite as bad as you make it out to. Apparently, the common problems are the aluminum expanding and contracting and the wires loosening in the outlets/switches, thereby causing resistance and causing the wiring and switches/outlets to heat up, and thereby cause a potential fire... correct? However, if you keep the connections nice and snug, it shouldn't be a problem until we can afford to have an electrician either re-wire the house or do the COPALUM crimping...

Anyone else have any real experience with the stuff?

 

[2cpuminimum]

I have Al wiring, and when one of my connections overheated, it started tripping the circuit breaker. If you start tripping circuit breakers, then you need to get an electrition in to fix all the connections or completely rewire the house. In the meantime I recommend finding a good bulk deal on compact flourescent light bulbs, as they will save you money in the long run while reducing the risk of fire and limiting the stress you place on your antiquated wiring. CFL's can be had from ebay and elsewhere, shop around before you buy.

 

[x3ro]

Bump for the night guys!

 

[skyking]

The compound referred to above is Noalox. A tube of it costs less than $10.
The main usage of Noalox is to prevend aluminum oxidation in outside connections. Aluminum wire is still used extensively for direct bury and overhead supply wire, and all the connections are treated with Noalox.
Dissimilar metal corrosion is an entirely different cup of tea. De-energize the circuits and confirm with a tester, then examine all connections for looseness and visible corrosion. If none is present and you get the wire connections tight, you really have little to worry about.
The trick is finding all the connections, though. Any junction boxes with wirenut connections are potential trouble spots.