Background on Aluminum wiring.
The following is some background on the use of aluminum wiring conductors. Aluminum conductors consist of different alloys known as the utility grade AA-1350 series (old technology) and AA-8000 series (new technology).
AA-1350 has a minimum aluminum content of 99.5 percent. The alloy composition AA-1350 makes the conductor very soft and susceptible to oxidization in comparison to the AA-8000 alloy.
Many homes built in the 1960’s to 1970’s had AA-1350 aluminium wiring conductors used throughout the homes branch circuits. This was due to the high price of copper in relation to aluminum.
Problems with aluminum wiring in residential installations.
In some cases poor workmanship at connections and indifference’s between copper, aluminum and the steel terminal screws at devices led to high resistance connections.
It was at these high resistance connections that caused the potential for a fire hazard due to the build up of heat in the connection.
Reported problems with aluminum wiring have been related to the overheating and failure of aluminum wiring terminations. This is due to aluminum’s tendency to oxidize and its incompatibility with devices designed for use with copper wiring.
How to tell if there is a problem with your wiring?
Indicators that there may be a problem with your wiring are warm cover plates or dis-coloration of switches or receptacles, flickering lights, or the smell of hot plastic.
Wiring methods.
It is important to note that if aluminum conductors are to be used for wiring a new replacement device that appropriate devices are marked CO/ALR, AL–CU” Or “CU–AL.
Alternatively, copper “pig-tails” using a Al/Cu approved wire connectors (these are usually purple for identification) and Anti‑Oxidant Compound should be used so that the connection point is not compromised.
You may realize that these purple wire nut connectors are ridiculously expensive. So much so, that if you were trying to pigtail every outlet and switch in a home it would probably be cheaper to replace the device (receptacle, switch, light fixture) rather then pig tailing every connection.
Also you may want to consider how many more splices you are creating. You are in effect, doubling the amount of connection points. That translates to more connection spots for your wiring to fail.
Buying a older home.
Before purchasing a older home (see article on DIY fixer upper) that has aluminum wiring it would be wise to contact your home insurance provider.
In some case’s it may not be possible to get home insurance without a certified electrical inspection performed by ESA.
Some insures will charge a premium to insure the home, or some may even require that all connections be aluminum to copper pig tailed.
To complete these tasks it is best left to a professional electrician as it is not an activity that should be considered DIY friendly.
Briefly mentioned above but worth repeating, the cost to preform this electrical work might be enough to consider walking away from the purchase of the home. Especially if other home purchase options are readily available to you.
Of course if you plan to renovate your new old home. Removing and replacing the old aluminum wiring while the walls are open is the way to go.
Making Aluminum Wiring safe in your Home.
The best approach and only true way to fix aluminum wiring is to remove it entirely and rewire the home with modern copper wiring.
Due to the expense and time this takes many electrical contractors are taking a new approach to aluminum wiring by installing new main electrical panels that incorporate AFCI breakers in conjunction with AL-CU rated devices.
AFCI breakers have the ability to sense a arc fault in your wiring. Although this method provides added protection for your home it is not a full solution. This is because AFCI technology is not a 100% fix to the problem.
However if you plan to remove the aluminum wiring at a later date. The new branch circuit wiring if feeding general outlets must be AFCI protected anyways.
Changing out an old fuse panel to a modern electrical panel is a good approach to the problem as it will correspond with future renovations and upgrades.
Check out our article on “Should I upgrade a old fuse electrical panel?” for more information.
What causes the problem with aluminum wiring?
The main issue is that because the AA-1350 alloy conductor is soft and oxidizes, connections loosen and become less conductive over time.
This in effect causes the connection to heat up while a electrical load is applied. A hot electrical connection isn’t necessarily arcing at the connection point as it fails. Arcing is what is required to trip the AFCI breaker to protect the circuit hence why afci breakers are not always effective in preventing aluminum wiring issues.
It should be noted that older electrical breaker panels cannot easily be retrofitted with AFCI breakers.
In the case of an old panel the only option would be to install a dead front AFCI device at the electrical panel. An alternative would be a AFCI receptacle installed after the breaker or fuse.
This practice is now in common use because of updates to Ontario’s electrical code in 2012 and then again in 2015.
The code 26-722 in the 2015 electrical code (Link to ESA website) dictates that general branch circuits located in a dwelling with sleeping quarters are to be AFCI protected.
There are certain circuits that are exempted from this rule e.g. kitchen counter outlets and bathrooms as they are GFCI protected.
The take away from this article is that AFCI usage is here to stay and that when carrying out a home renovation or electrical panel replacement that is the best time to consider making this update.
Where are we today with aluminum wiring?
Aluminum conductors are still used today but it is the newer AA-8000 series alloy. This alloy is generally only used for larger sizes of wire which can be found in overhead transmission lines, and main feeder circuits.
Before taking on any home renovation project it is important that you get the proper permits and follow your local electrical code to ensure compliance.
Exercised caution should be used when working with aluminum conductors as not every state or province follows the same wiring methods.
It is advised that you contact a licensed electrical contractor or the issuing electrical authority for your area to see which rules and wiring methods apply to your situation.
You can find out more information on aluminum wiring in Ontario by visiting ESA’s website or by contacting us via our contact form.
Click the link to take you to the Electrical Safety Authorities website. -> Link to ESA website <-
