Is Aluminum Wiring Safe?

There’s a good chance that if your home has aluminum wiring, an inspector has brought it to your attention. Unfortunately, failing aluminum-wired connections seldom provide easily detected warning signs. Aluminum-wired connections and splices have been reported to fail and overheat without any prior indications or problems. Like many of the quirks and features of your home, you may wonder if you can get by without fixing it. In this article, we’ll do a deep dive on why aluminum wiring was used and if it’s safe to have in your home.

According to the National Fire Protection Association, half of all home fires stem from issues with home electrical wiring. Between 1965 and 1973, aluminum wiring was substituted because of the skyrocketing price of copper during this time. 

After a decade of use by homeowners and electricians, the flaws of aluminum wiring came out into the spotlight.

• Aluminum becomes defective faster than copper.
• Neglected connections in switches, outlets, and light fixtures containing aluminum wiring become a hazard over time. These poor connections cause the wiring to overheat which creates a potential fire hazard. 
• The presence of aluminum wiring may void home insurance policies.
• According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), "Homes wired with aluminum wire manufactured before 1972 ['old technology' aluminum wire] are 55 times more likely to have one or more connections reach "Fire Hazard Conditions" than is a home wired with copper."

Dangers of Aluminum Wiring: 

While Aluminum is a good, cost-effective conductor of electricity, it is also risky. Compared to copper, Aluminum in wires expands and contracts over time, causing connections to lose or expose wires. 

However, choosing aluminum wiring comes with its risks, which can increase the probability of electrical hazards. 

Overheating: 

A study proposed by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission found that homes with traditional aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to experience fire hazard conditions than homes with copper wiring. 

If a number of light fixtures are connected to a single outlet, the appliance with aluminum wiring is more likely to overheat and melt through its insulation, posing a threat to other devices as well. 

Corrosion:

Aluminum does not rust or corrode like other metals. However, once it comes into contact with water, air, or other metals, it can corrode, leading to a poor flow of electricity. Once the quality of the wiring has been damaged, a smooth flow of electricity will not reach the electrical appliance, causing it to lose its functionality. 

Cold Creep:

Over time, a metallic element like Aluminum can eventually fail to retain its shape under extreme mechanical conditions. This can cause loose wiring, increasing the possibility of creep-related failures such as fires and other electrical hazards.  

Malleability:

As the second most malleable metal, aluminum wires can be easily changed in shape. However, due to its soft exterior, they can be easily damaged or cut during installation.

Temporary Repair for Aluminum Wiring

Pig Tailing: 

This is a very common repair method for aluminum wiring. If an electrician adds a short copper wire to the end of an existing aluminum wire, it can help mitigate the effects of an aluminum connection to fixtures. Talk to your electrician about options for pig tailing.

What to Do if Your Home Has Aluminum WiringThe Consumer Product Safety

Commission (CPSC) recommends the following two methods for addressing copper wiring.

Rewire your home with copper wire:

Although the most expensive option, it will eliminate all failure points that connect to fixtures.

COPALUM method of repair:

 It's another form of pigtail repair. COPALUM connectors are special connectors installed by a qualified licensed electrician, this is considered by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission ("CPSC") to be the preferred method for permanently repairing aluminum wiring in a home short of rewiring the entire home with copper. This connector is applied using a special crimping tool that makes the connection with extreme pressure.

Warning Signs of Overheating Aluminum:

Electrical hazards such as sparks or burning smells are most likely to occur when your home is wired with Aluminum. Here are some symptoms to look out for to diagnose aluminum overheating. 

Warm Switches: The electrical outlets and switches can feel warm due to overheating. 

Burning Plastic Smell: The frayed aluminum appliances will emit a burning smell 

Flickering Lights: Once the wiring is damaged, aluminum-wired light fixtures will persist in flickering. 

Buzzing: The fried switches or aluminum wiring outlets will emit a buzzing sound. 

Sparks: If you try plugging in an appliance, it will release sparks indicating a damaged outlet. 

Cost of Aluminum Rewiring: 

Before the safety hazards of aluminum wiring were brought to attention, Aluminum was used in the wiring of residential areas as a cost-effective option. After discovering the harmful physical properties of aluminum wiring, it is safer to consider rewiring your home with copper. 

A few key factors should be taken into consideration to determine the estimate cost of rewiring:

The Size of the House:

The cost of replacing aluminum wires with copper depends on the residence's area. Rewiring involves replacing the aluminum wires in the internal structure and foundation, which is time-consuming. 

Accessibility of the wiring inside your home:

Another factor to consider to calculate the cost of rewiring is how accessible your house is to the electrician. Depending on whether your home has a basement or an attic through which wires are more accessible, generally reducing the rewiring costs. 

However, the age of the residence is an integral factor, meaning that older houses will require more strain and effort from an electrician to replace them with copper wires. 

Whether you need to upgrade the electrical panel:

If your electrical panel is as old as the aluminum wiring in your house, it is recommended that you change it. If your electrical panel provides less than 100 amps, it is not feasible to power modern-day appliances. An electrical panel producing 150 to 200 amps is required for contemporary electrical appliances to power everyday needs effectively.

An outdated electrical panel poses a threat to safety as it will more likely overheat, making it a potential fire hazard. A modern electrical panel's advantage is its capacity to accommodate your new wiring installation. 

Importance of hiring professionals for Rewiring:

A large number of electrical hazards such as fires or electrical shocks occur due to malfunctions. It is essential to hire a qualified licensed electrician who can inspect and begin the rewiring process by taking all the necessary precautions and your personal needs into consideration.At Randy’s Electric, we pride ourselves on ensuring our clients are comfortable and safe in their home. Call us today for one of our professional, licensed, electricians to take a look at your home. 

Call Randy’s Electric:

The very existence of aluminum wiring in your home doesn't mean that you need to have it removed and replaced. However, it's very smart and often requires that your home passes inspection if you want to keep it around. Luckily, if you are looking for an "electrician near me," or "Minneapolis/St. Paul electricians," Randy's is here to help. We have extensive knowledge of home rewiring. Give us a call at (612) 470-0914.

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