Soldering copper wires to aluminum wires?

Question

I am not sure if it is Aluminum or Tinned copper, but could I solder and heat shrink a copper wire to aluminum wire?.

I know they have special lug connectors for them b/c they will react with one another.

Answer 1

No, you can't solder aluminum. The solder is designed to melt and flow on copper.

To join copper and aluminum wires, you have to twist them together and install a wire nut. A wire nut is a cone shaped plastic connector with tapered metal threads in it (usually, it's a tapered spring inside the plastic housing). When you twist the nut down onto the wire ends, it clamps down on them, holding them together.

Answer 2

If the two metals were soldered together the connection would electrolyze within a short time.  You can use a special solderless connector with a aluminum/ copper  splicing compound that allow the connection to be made properly.  If you cut the end off of the tinned wire and look at the end, you may see a copper color, if so then it is copper, and could be soldered.  If this is house wiring, I suggest that all aluminum wire be removed before the place burns. Aluminum wire will oxidize and then tends to heat, expand, cool, contract, and then loosen the connection and start fires.  

Answer 3

I'm assuming you are talking about house wiring and no.  Besides being a bad idea and violating something.

With the right torch and solder aluminum can be soldered to copper.

(I'm intentionally leaving out the torch and solder information in case you get any ideas.)

Answer 4

I dont think so. I also woudnt have anything to do with aluminum wiring in a dwelling?