Old trailer Aluminum wiring

[RAM460]

Is there a safe, legal way to replace all the receptacles, switches, and lights in an older tailer that has all aluminum romex wiring? To my understanding the connections are were the aluminum wiring has the trouble, loose connections heat up and and can cause a fire. Lets face it replacing it all doesnt seem possible, there has to some good practical ways to do it.

Thank You all in advance for your responses...

Roger

[Big D 40]

If it were me, I would revamp the entire trailer. I have seen this type of application before and its a no win situation. I would tell the people either we rewire or we walk. There are too many what if's involved to even think of leaving that junk wire

[wireman3736]

I just had someone discuss a trailer with al wire last week, I had no interest in getting involved with this as he was looking for an easy way out, I said I would recommend rewireing the whole trailer and I think I @#$ him off.:)

[77401]

only 2 ways of revamping with out rewiring.
1) Best method. Copalum & you are not Copalum certified, or you would not be posting this.
2) 2nd Best method. CoAlr Devices. (this is what I do & charge $20 per device F & I) with new plates.

[bkludecke]

We've done quite a few of these and while I can't argue with those who want an all or nothing job, my experience has been that alot of the trailer dwellers are of very modest means and it comes down to 'a little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing'.

That said. there are a number of products out there to safely interface a copper pigtail to aluminum branch circuit conductors. Ideal makes a product, I think it's called Twister (basically a purple wirenut) for cu/al connections and there are others.

We are getting $12/opening and some of these folks need a little time to pay, but we walk away knowing they can rest easier at night (and so can we).

Bob onthe left coast.

[hardworkingstiff]

... my experience has been that alot of the trailer dwellers are of very modest means and it comes down to 'a little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing'.


Bob,

I think that is astute.

[hockeyoligist2]

as·tute


adjective

Definition:

clever and perceptive: shrewd and discerning, especially where personal benefit is to be derived

Had to look it up! :)

[wireman3736]

We've done quite a few of these and while I can't argue with those who want an all or nothing job, my experience has been that alot of the trailer dwellers are of very modest means and it comes down to 'a little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing'.

That said. there are a number of products out there to safely interface a copper pigtail to aluminum branch circuit conductors. Ideal makes a product, I think it's called Twister (basically a purple wirenut) for cu/al connections and there are others.

We are getting $12/opening and some of these folks need a little time to pay, but we walk away knowing they can rest easier at night (and so can we).

Bob onthe left coast.

Don't get me wrong, I have done many jobs for people that did not have allot of money to spare and gave them a break and have even done some small jobs where I didn't even charge, I've been there and thats why I don't ever expect to be rich, I guess my concern is that I don't feel all that comfortable after messing with these connections even though I may have improved the situation, I have found connections buried in the walls on two different occasions that appear to have been during the mfg of the home, I know this still goes on but in the aluminum years I think there was much less inspecting going on and allot more just send it out the door. But I guess your right that a little bit of something is better than a whole lot of nothing'. :)
.

[A1cbr]

How does one go about being certified Copalum?

[don_resqcapt19]

77401,
2nd Best method. CoAlr Devices.
Are the CO/ALR devices suitable for use with the old style aluminum conductors that have problems? Those devices came into the market to be used with the new alloy aluminum #10 and #12 conductors that were introduced in the early 70s.
Don

[hardworkingstiff]

http://mb.thehartford.com/insurance_info/pdfs/680-400.pdf#search='co%2Falr'

Some lite reading.

[77401]

How does one go about being certified Copalum?

Its not cheap!!
Lease of the tool is $350 per month with a 3 month minmun

http://tooling.tycoelectronics.com/procedure.stm

[77401]

77401,

Are the CO/ALR devices suitable for use with the old style aluminum conductors that have problems? Those devices came into the market to be used with the new alloy aluminum #10 and #12 conductors that were introduced in the early 70s.
Don

It just says Aluminum wire. So IMO the answer is yes.

[A1cbr]

WOW! $750 for training to be certified.

[haskindm]

Perhaps you could install CU/AL rated devices which would meet the NEC requirements for aluminum wiring. You could then install AFCI devices on each appropriate circuit. While they may not be perfect, this would provide additional protection in the event that a connection gets loose and an arcing fault develops. Just a thought that may help you and your customer sleep at night.

[77401]

AFCI is an excellant idea!
Why did I not think of that?
Should be new code requirement?

[bkludecke]

I like the AFCI idea too. Almost all of these mobile homes have all 2 wire branch circuits so as long as the panel is not obsolete, it's a slam dunk winner.

Bob on the left coast.

[don_resqcapt19]

haskindm,
While they may not be perfect, this would provide additional protection in the event that a connection gets loose and an arcing fault develops.
Unfortunately AFCIs do not directly detect that type of fault. That would be a series fault or a high resistance connection. The AFCI will only detect that type of fault after it progresses to a parallel arcing fault or a ground fault. That being said, an AFCI would provide better protection than a standard breaker.
Don