Aluminum Wire
Aluminum wire was used during the Vietnam War, especially in some houses built between1968 to 1972, to replace copper wire. The aluminum wire was attached to copper parts in outlets. Not much was known at the time about how to attach aluminum to copper.
Three problems resulted:
1. Aluminum expands and contracts with temperature variation more than does copper.
2. Aluminum oxidizes over time. It's that flaky stuff you see on older lawn furniture and camper trailers.
3. Once the aluminum oxidizes, electricity starts arcing (sparks jumping) across the tiny space left between aluminum wire and copper parts in the outlet. This builds up carbon in addition to aluminum oxide. Eventually the buildup and expansion/contraction actually loosen screws which fasten the wire to the outlet.
As a company we know directly of only one fire -- a couch caught fire from sparks from an unused outlet in the wall behind -- caused by this problem but have seen many melted outlets and smoked walls. At least one fire insurance company will not insure houses with aluminum wiring.
The National Electric Code allows us to fix this problem by using special purple wire nuts full of a goop which is code-approved to bond aluminum to copper. We do not quote exactly for this process because difficulty of installation varies with the workmanship of the original electrician. We can give you an approximate price if you call us at 345-8281. The price will be lower if there is no furniture in the house or if all furniture is stacked in the middle of the room.
It is very important before repairs to move every piece of furniture away from the wall. Outlets can catch fire whether in use or not. So, yes, you have to move the entertainment center and the china cabinet and Aunt Lizzie's marble top dresser.
Please note that aluminum continues to be used for big wires. You often see on home inspector's reports that a house is fed with aluminum from the power company. This is OK because that aluminum wire is fastened to the copper in the circuit breaker panel with stout lugs (which are much too big to be used in outlets).
© Hammack Electric Inc.
Aluminum wire was used during the Vietnam War, especially in some houses built between1968 to 1972, to replace copper wire. The aluminum wire was attached to copper parts in outlets. Not much was known at the time about how to attach aluminum to copper.
Three problems resulted:
1. Aluminum expands and contracts with temperature variation more than does copper.
2. Aluminum oxidizes over time. It's that flaky stuff you see on older lawn furniture and camper trailers.
3. Once the aluminum oxidizes, electricity starts arcing (sparks jumping) across the tiny space left between aluminum wire and copper parts in the outlet. This builds up carbon in addition to aluminum oxide. Eventually the buildup and expansion/contraction actually loosen screws which fasten the wire to the outlet.
As a company we know directly of only one fire -- a couch caught fire from sparks from an unused outlet in the wall behind -- caused by this problem but have seen many melted outlets and smoked walls. At least one fire insurance company will not insure houses with aluminum wiring.
The National Electric Code allows us to fix this problem by using special purple wire nuts full of a goop which is code-approved to bond aluminum to copper. We do not quote exactly for this process because difficulty of installation varies with the workmanship of the original electrician. We can give you an approximate price if you call us at 345-8281. The price will be lower if there is no furniture in the house or if all furniture is stacked in the middle of the room.
It is very important before repairs to move every piece of furniture away from the wall. Outlets can catch fire whether in use or not. So, yes, you have to move the entertainment center and the china cabinet and Aunt Lizzie's marble top dresser.
Please note that aluminum continues to be used for big wires. You often see on home inspector's reports that a house is fed with aluminum from the power company. This is OK because that aluminum wire is fastened to the copper in the circuit breaker panel with stout lugs (which are much too big to be used in outlets).
© Hammack Electric Inc.
