Aluminum wiring in the home



Aluminum branch circuit wiring



As coincidence would have it, this past week we inspected two houses that both had some Aluminum wiring used for branch circuit wiring. The danger with aluminum wiring is this.  Homes built, or rooms added between 1965-1973 may contain aluminum wiring due to a shortage of cooper during this time period. According to U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), aluminum wire is more than 50 times more likely to have one or more connections reach electrical "Fire Hazard Conditions" than a home wired with copper. Aluminum is softer than copper and reacts (expands and contracts) to fluctuations in temperatures. Because aluminum is more reactive than copper, there is a higher probability the electrical connections made in your home will become loose. When connections are loose, they create an electrical safety and fire hazard. Aluminum wiring is allowed in some residential application, however, the concern is with the branch circuit wiring going from the electrical panel to each room of the house. 

If you think your home may have aluminum wiring  you may be asking yourself if it is safe. If you are unsure if you have aluminum wiring or want to have it checked for safety purposes, I recommend calling a licensed electrician to examine your homes wiring.  Just because you do have aluminum wiring in your home, doesn't mean that it isn't functional. As long as the connections are secure and checked periodically, your home should be fine.