Between 1960 and 1973, many new homes were built with electric systems containing aluminum wiring. Electricians continued to use it well into the 70’s. Both home inspectors and real estate professionals should be aware that testing has proven that aluminum wiring heats up much more quickly than copper wire and is therefore an unsatisfactory conductor of electricity.
What can you do if your home has aluminum wiring? Copper clad aluminum wiring or “pig-tailing” copper to the connections is somewhat of compromise. The only alternative is re-wiring the entire building with copper wiring. There is no question that copper wire is still going to be the better conductor of electricity, but if you’ve got aluminum wiring it’s better to at least “pig-tail” your outlets than not do anything.
If you are content with your aluminum wiring, you should at least check to see that proper receptacles are being used in your system. Outlets and switches should be marked “CO-ALR” or “CU-AL”. All aluminum wiring should be at least one size larger than copper wiring carrying the same load. Let’s say the branch wiring gauge is #12 in a home with copper wiring, the size of the aluminum branch wiring doing the same job should be size #10. Thicker wire eliminates the chance of circuit heat up.
If you notice that the outlet and switch covers in your home are warm, you may not only have the wrong type of receptacles, but it may also have the wrong gauge-wire to boot. If the gauge of wiring and the properly marked receptacles complies with these two inspections standards, it is considered properly installed. Electricians usually charge around $15 to “pig-tail” each receptacle. It is well worth the money. You can never be too safe when it comes to improving the safety of your home.
BESTAGRAM TWO / APRIL 2001.
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