Aluminum Wiring Safety
A large number of modern homes use aluminum wiring. While making use of wire aluminum has its benefits, it can also be dangerous if you don’t consider certain things. Aluminum electrical wiring can be especially dangerous where it connects with copper, resulting in fire and several other hazards. If your house was built during the 60s or 70s, there is a good chance that it contains uses wire aluminum.
Most people preferred aluminum wire instead of copper and other wiring types. This is mainly because the aluminum wire price was significantly lower compared to copper prices. However, things are quite different these days, as both wiring types are affordable.
Are Copper Connections the Main Problem?
One of the main problems associated with aluminum electrical wiring is the copper connections. These connections can become loose very quickly, and it often happens because copper and aluminum have different reactions to the cooling and warming cycle created from electrical loads. Unlike copper, aluminum tends to lose its strength relatively quickly as it expands and contracts a lot more compared to other types of wiring.
As most of you may know, loose connections often create arcing and sparking, which can easily ignite the combusting materials in your surroundings. This could also include things like wallpaper, wall insulation, and wiring insulation. What makes things significantly worse is that aluminum is also capable of oxidizing or corroding.
So, whenever a connection gets corroded or loose, its resistance increases tenfold, dispersing power in heat form. This heat is capable of melting fixtures and insulation, posing a massive fire hazard. Incompatible devices and fittings can also result in overheating. You’d be surprised to learn that one of the biggest causes behind electrical fire incidents, especially in Canada, is inadequate wiring.
That said, electrical fire incidents could happen anywhere if the aluminum wire has gone through too much wear and tear or because of poor workmanship. So, if your house has subpar wiring or and aluminum to copper wires, make sure you get a professional electrical Vancouver to address this issue right away.
Understanding Aluminum Wiring Pigtails
Special connectors that have antioxidant compounds are often used for splicing short copper wires into aluminum wires. This is done for creating aluminum wire pigtails, which are connected to things like light switches, fixtures, or electrical outlets.
No matter how much electrical equipment you have fixed, installing these pigtails won’t be easy. You’ll require an electrician who is meticulous and pays close attention to detail to make sure your wire aluminum pigtails are functional and most importantly, safe. For example, you will see hairline cracks developing if you do not handle the aluminum wiring with extra care. It could result in fire hazards because of overheating.
Aluminum Wiring and Insurance – What you need to know
Due to the dangers posed by fire outbreaks, getting your house insured, especially if it has aluminum electrical wiring can be incredibly difficult. According to a large number of safety experts, the aluminum wiring present in houses made before the 1970s doubles the threat of fire hazards. According to the International Association of Certified Home Inspectors, aluminum possesses numerous properties which make it a dangerous electrical conductor.
Some experts even claim that the aluminum to copper wiring in some homes may have blended over time, becoming a massive hazard. Problems like these can only be addressed by using the right copper to aluminum connectors. It is also worth keeping in mind that aluminum wiring poses a variety of insurance issues for buyers if you plan to sell your new home.
According to multiple experts, insurance companies generally claim that house sellers should get their aluminum wiring systems thoroughly checked to by licensed electricians. Doing so will make sure that your house’s system is completely safe while you are complying with multiple insurance providers.
How To Determine if There is Aluminum Wiring in Your House
If you are not sure whether your house contains aluminum wiring, it would be best to start by checking the wires on your electrical panel. You should also look for wires in the basement, attic, and open floor joists, etc. The BC safety authority states that if your wiring contains aluminum and made prior to 1977 May, the outer covering would have a mark after twelve inches with “ALUMINUM” written on it.
Potential Signs of Aluminum Wiring Risks
Believe it or not, an aluminum wiring system’s condition can significantly vary, depending on the house and the branch circuits present inside. Here are a few potential signs that indicate aluminum wiring risks:
- Strange odors
- Scorching
- Loose wires
- Sparkles coming out from electrical equipment
- Discoloration in switch plates
- Static on computers, TVs, and other equipment
- Flickering lights
In some cases, however, aluminum wiring can be incredibly dangerous with no visible warning signs whatsoever. Some experts even claim that there some aluminum wiring setups that should be checked every 4 to 5 years.
Could Aluminum Wiring Pigtails be the Answer?
In addition to setting up wiring pigtails, you can utilize a couple of other options to increase aluminum wiring safety. Replacing switches and wall receptacles with devices particularly made for aluminum wiring.
Contrary to popular belief, changing all switches and outlets to CO/ALR-approved devices is not a permanent repair and is considered incomplete. Not each connection point can be replaced using new aluminum switches/receptacles as the connections tend to become loose, resulting in unsafe gaps. However, if you still end up going with this option, ensure that you check all of your connections for devices and debris and clean them right away.
It would also help if you acquired the help of an electrician in Vancouver to check if your system has any previous damage. As mentioned abundantly, poor connections are arguably the biggest reason behind electrical fires. Using copper wires to rewire your home completely could be a tremendous option to steer clear of the dangers posed by aluminum wiring systems.
In some cases, insuring companies ask people to replace their aluminum wiring systems with copper systems. Aluminum wire pigtails are in most cases, the best option to solve any aluminum wiring-related issue. Approved by the Electrical Safety Authority, many experienced electricians utilize copper pig tailing for making sure that aluminum wiring systems are free from hazards.
Is it Legal to Code?
Many people wonder if aluminum wiring pigtail is legal. Well, the answer to that question is yes. Safety authorities in Canada recommend homeowners hire licensed electricians for completing copper tailing tasks, as it is essential to ensure that your connections are detached properly. Not doing so could cause a plethora of issues down the line.
It would also help if you checked every termination and connection in your home and ensured you are using the right connectors. For those who did not know, using approved connectors is mandatory for all outlets including dryer and range receptacles, light plugs, etc.
Plus, you should check each termination point at the panel and breaker and install a deox compound to steer clear from oxidization. As mentioned multiple times, a professional electrician in Vancouver who knows the ins and outs of aluminum wiring can give you advice and make adjustments to your aluminum wiring to reduce the risk of electrical hazards and fires.
Do not make the mistake of waiting for signs of arcing or overheating in the receptacles and switches. Instead, it would be better to steer clear from the risk of changing the original devices, replacing them with properly marked, aluminum-rated devices. That being said, the best solution would be to install copper pigtails.
You may be surprised to learn that aluminum wire terminations can overheat and fail without any warning signs. So, ensure that you always keep your wires in check to prevent any unforeseen circumstances down the line. With that said, there are plenty of ways to address aluminum wiring-related issues in your home.
A large number of houses these days use aluminum wiring systems. Whether you live in a house with an aluminum wiring system or planning to buy one, here are a few steps that could help you make sure the house is free from electrical and fire hazards:
First off, consider installing receptacles that are aluminum wire-friendly. There are plenty of electricians who think this is not the best long-term wiring solution. And while they may be correct, this is still much better than using copper wire receptacles.
You can also pigtail aluminum to copper wires. Doing this will require you to twist a purple wire, not around both of the wires. The inner portion of the wire contains a compound that avoids oxidation that can cause the connections to heat up after some time.
Things to Do Before You Buy a House with Aluminum Wiring System
Buying a house that contains an aluminum wiring system can be quite tricky. Here are a few steps you can take to ensure your house is free from electrical threats.
Get a licensed electrician to inspect your electrical system for making sure there aren’t any wiring problems
Ask your electrician for an estimate
Inquire about the costs for changing your house’s aluminum wiring to copper wiring
If your electrician informs you about an alternative that does not cost as much, then consider getting a quote and weigh your decisions before buying the home
Check the single wires in your house to see the panel isn’t carrying an excessive amount of load. For instance, one wire shouldn’t power your house, kitchen, and laundry room altogether. This is because aluminum wires tend to get too hot, causing a variety of problems down the line
Get in touch with an insurance agent (homeowner’s insurance) asking them about the cost of insuring the house with aluminum wires. This is because finding the right insurance can be quite difficult, ultimately causing you to buy the wrong house at high rates.
You can also get a portion of your house re-wired, especially where it is using most of the load. People who don’t address their house’s aluminum wiring issues notice melted wire nuts around their outlets and other areas. Some people even notice strange smells and flickering lights in their house which is a clear telltale sign of faults in the electrical system.
As we discussed earlier, installing copper wiring in your house is hands down the best solution to steer clear of aluminum wiring hazards. However, while this solution is effective it may also be costly for some people as the cost of copper is generally higher than aluminum wire price. It could also mean that you will have to buy a fresh panel. Any house that contains aluminum wiring is likely older than fifty years. It would be best to get some estimates before you choose a home.
What to Do if you Plan to Sell a House with Aluminum Wiring
You must always prepare yourself for the possibility that house buyers will always ask you about aluminum wiring. This could either cost you an incredible amount of money or when you are negotiating the sale.
The first thing you should do is ask an experienced electrician in Vancouver for an estimate regarding your house’s copper rewiring. Consider getting more than one estimate, holding on to the one that costs the least. In case future buyers want you to reduce the house’s price, you can provide them with a ready estimate, utilizing it as the cost basis.
It would also help if you asked electricians for alternative rewiring techniques and get estimates for those as well. While some people are not in favor of pig tailing, it is a worthwhile compromise. Also, make sure that you do not blow away a sale because of wiring problems. Aluminum wiring can be problematic for a large number of house buyers.
Therefore, it would be best to understand it and be aware of the things you can do when it comes to negotiations.
The Main Issue with Aluminum Wiring
Aluminum does not conduct electricity as efficiently as copper and a few others. It is a major reason why electricians prefer wires with large diameters, as they tend to generate a lot more heat compared to copper. As mentioned abundantly, too much heating is one of the biggest causes behind home fires – something that has scared a lot of people away from aluminum wiring.
Mentioned below is a list of problems you will find in aluminum and its use in various electrical appliances.
The Electrical Resistance is Too Much
If you compare aluminum to copper, you will immediately realize that the former’s electrical resistance is one the higher side. This also means that you will need huge wires to make sure the current flows properly, which will result in excess heat due to resistance.
Oxidation
Almost every metal ends up rusting, and this also includes aluminum. Sure, copper becomes rusty as well, but it is relatively better as copper oxide’s electrical resistance is on the lower side. Aluminum oxide, on the other hand, has too much resistance, creating heat and various connection-related issues.
Insufficient Ductility
Aluminum is quite brittle if you compare it with copper. Because of this, aluminum cannot withstand the excessive stretching and bending that is quite common during electrical repairs.
Aluminum Wiring Inspection – Things that Inspectors Look for
Whether you plan to sell or buy an old home that contains aluminum wiring, home inspectors will look around your house for aluminum wiring systems. They will report back right away if they find single-strand aluminum wires in your house.
Some inspectors also look for remedies to steer clear of the potential hazards associated with aluminum wires. Here are some of the remedies:
CO/ALR Outlets and Switches
Inspectors check houses to ensure homeowners are using these wires as they are they go well with aluminum wires.
Pigtailing
Pigtailing is an inexpensive way to blend aluminum wires. However, most electricians do not prefer it. More often than not, inspectors use this technique as a possible remedy.
Copalum Crimps
In this process, experts crimp the aluminum wires to copper ones with a crimping tool and a special sleeve.
If your home hasn’t been through any aluminum wiring safety process, then the home inspector may offer you some recommendations and notations. For those planning to sell their house, they may want to make use of pre-listing home inspection and find out if they require any adjustments and changes before making the home available on the market.
Final Thoughts
In most cases, the concerns people have associated with aluminum wiring are a massive reason for having a home inspection, especially if you want to buy a home. If you come across a home that you really want to buy, you can bargain with the seller, trying to negotiate a deal and then address the aluminum wiring later.
In some agreements, people tend to split the money for rewiring costs and various other options for mitigation. Whatever the case, ensure that you get an electrician in Vancouver to take inspect your house’s aluminum wiring (whether selling or buying it). Doing so will help you steer clear of various hazards while remaining compliant with safety standards.