Bought a House with aluminum wiring?

Question

We just bought a house with aluminum wiring and we "knew" about it in the inspection report, but everyone kept telling us "it's no big deal." There was so much going on and I didn't look into it myself and now I just surfed the web on it and I am filled with anxiety! Please help! Did we make a huge mistake? How common are the dangers? Also, my insurance company didn't ask me about wiring, but some sites said that they don't cover aluminum wiring. Should I ask them? I am so overwhelmed and scared. I do not want a fire for my family!

Answer 1

If properly terminated, you should have no problem with the aluminum wiring.

It got its bad "rep" because early on, it was not installed properly.

If you had a good inspection, it should have covered the 'terminations'

issue once the wiring was disclosed.

Answer 2

there are a few good thoughts here,so i wont answer the question,just add to others answers.when two different metals are put together you get whats called a galvanic reaction.or in other words the metals will corrode. that's what the inhibitor is for.also there is a way to tighten aluminum connections so you don't have to come back later to re tighten..tighten s***w or lug or what ever it is by compressing the wire .that means to tighten and then loosen and re tighten the connection until there is no more gain.just remember that what your tightening is also aluminum,don't strip it.and 1 more thing i want to add to everybody,go outside and look at what your power company brought to your meter.i would bet its aluminum.its a good conductor,not as good as copper,but still a good conductor

Answer 3

All of these answers are "good". There is a concern. I would suggest that if there is a question of security -- that you slip ( or get an electrician) to slip each switch and outlet out of the wiring box and tighten the connections.

As for the racoons, there are simple and pretty much low cost (under 30 bucks, voltage sensors at your local electrical supply, and maybe at Home-Depot. These really nice devices sense the presence of AC electricity in the wall, even locating the actual point where the electricity "stops" at a break!   This is a do-it=yourself project.    

Answer 4

you should ask them.no you didnt make a big mistake.the dangers are not common.alumium expanes and contracts more than copper with heat.so you want to check your connections make sure there not loose.and if you change a outlet or switch make sure it say al/cu on it.and if you change a fixture by the wirenuts that are for copper to alumium connections.

Answer 5

I used to own a home with aluminium wiring in it.

In the years 1972 to 1974 the Vietnam War had priority for the copper to be used in bombs, planes, tanks, etc. So for a few years the building industry had to use aluminum wire for the new home construction going on.

I never had a single problem with the wiring in my 34 year old house. if your upgrading or puting in a new circuit i suggest going all the way to the service box... either way you can connect the copper to an aluminum wire but only and I stress only by using a cu-al connector. because dissimilar metal react chemically these two wires need a connector between them which will not chemically react... i know its alot but trust the science

One  thing to remember is that if you ever run a new service line or you do a repair,, make sure that if you use copper wire for the repair or the new install,  that you apply the semi liquid compound to all of the connections, between the aluminum wire and the copper wire. You can use standard wire nuts  at all connections. You can also buy wire nuts with the compound in them.

When connecting aluminum and copper wiring together you must use devices marked CU AL which are designed to keep the 2 wires from touching each other. Best advice is to absolutely not use copper wiring!

nti-oxidizing paste to lower the fire hazard. 3M also makes a crimp type tool and connectors that can

Hope this helps

Answer 6

Lots of great answers here.

IF and I do mean IF your aluminum wiring was installed and maintained properly, there will be no problem.

However, if someone has replaced any device designed for aluminum with one for copper, you WILL have a problem.

My advice...call a GOOD electrical contractor for an independent inspection. Make sure he knows that his company will NOT be the one to make corrections beforehand. This insures that he will give you an honest inspection and not try to use the moment for a sales pitch.

After the inspection, hire him to do the work.

A bit devious, but the plan is sound.

Answer 7

from my experience aluminum wiring only seems to have issue if it is connected to other types of metal  or the improper  connections  .   call an electrician and ask them to consult you on your electrical system  

Answer 8

you will need to speak to an electrician, but the last i heard the wiring is not the problem, the problem is using things like outlets that are not rated for aluminum.

copper in the outlet heats up where it joins the house wiring, and the house burns down.

when aluminum first came out, some moron forgot to test for that, so there were a lot of a fires. people have mistakenly blamed the wiring.

as long as you dont run to home depot and grab the cheapest outlet you see and say" this is just as good" . you will be fine.

Answer 9

The aluminum is a soft metal and compresses and tends to loosen at the wire connections. It was probably installed properly with the semi compound and is probably ok. But the connections could be loose and cause a hot junction over heat in your service breaker box (Load Center). Every connection in the panel could be tightened a Quarter or half turn to snug them up by an electrician in just thirty minutes or so. and ease your concerns. Pay attention when he does and see if they turned or were still snug. this will give you insight into when to re check them a year or so down the line.