Most homeowners who wonder if aluminum wiring is safe likely acquired a house built between 1960s and 1970s, a time when it was commonly used. This was due to a material shortage and the fact that copper prices skyrocketed.
Why?
The main reason is that copper is the main ingredient used in brass casings, which were heavily used in manufacturing during that time. Fast-forward to today and many homes from that era are still standing, with homeowners concerned about their safety.
What Is Aluminum Wiring?
People definitely have valid concerns about aluminum wiring. In past decades, and still today, copper was used to wire homes. Back then, they thought, “Well, if we can use copper, we can use aluminum. Aluminum’s cheap, and copper is being used for other purposes, so let’s give it a try.”
The problem is that manufacturers that made those receptacles and switches, didn’t have devices that were designed for the use of aluminum wiring.
What’s the difference between copper and aluminum?
Copper allows electricity to flow more easily because of its high conductivity, but aluminum is less efficient and more susceptible to temperature change. Aluminum is also a softer metal than the standard copper wiring you see today. Because of this, it also tends to expand and contract more than copper wire. That expansion and contraction can lead to loosening of connections.
These factors can cause devices (e.g., receptacles, switches, light fixtures) to become faulty. When this happens, we get arcing, and arcing can lead to fire.
So, Is Aluminum Wiring Safe?
Homes still use aluminum wiring, but they’re usually reserved for higher-voltage circuits. If the wiring is found throughout the house, whether it goes to sockets, switches, or general lighting, it would usually be copper. Large power circuits that use higher voltages are typically wired with aluminum because they are less expensive, are safe when properly installed, and are legal.
So, as far as safety goes, do you have to worry about aluminum wiring? If it was done right by an electrician, no. In fact, when you buy certain products, like light fixtures, at a home improvement store, they might still have aluminum wiring in them.
Aluminum wiring often has a negative reputation because of the potential risks when it’s not properly installed. But with proper inspection and maintenance from professionals, you can rest easy.
What to Do Next?
If you’re worried that your newly purchased or lifelong house is unsafe due to aluminum wiring, there are different processes that a professional contractor can do to address it.
- Total House Rewiring: Contact a licensed electrician to replace all wiring with copper throughout the entire house. From inspection to rewiring, it’s the most thorough solution to ensure that your place is fully compliant with safety standards.
- Copalum Connectors: Similar to a crimp connector, professionals slide the aluminum wire on one side and a copper pigtail on the other side. They then use a battery-powered crimper that crimps it and makes a fully accurate and safe electrical connection.
- Alumicon: A contractor will put the aluminum wire in and tighten one screw down on it. After that, a copper pigtail wire is placed on the other side and screwed down.
Contact The Professionals
Electrical work is dangerous and is a skill that takes many years to acquire. Unless you’re a licensed electrician yourself, the best thing you can do is hire a qualified team to do the work for you. At Oak Electric, we have a team of experienced and certified pros ready to handle all your wiring needs. Contact us today for a consultation to verify the safety of your home.