Is aluminum that bad?

[mark32]

I recently spoke over the phone to an associate of mine whom asked about feeding a 75a load in a dwelling. He's very cost conscious so I mentioned running aluminum to it. He told me (He's a GC not an EC) he does not like AL cable, I said what about the service in your new house, that's AL isn't it? "NO, I specified copper", he said. At the same time I'm listening to him, a co-worker of mine is shaking his head and mouthing the word no. I get off the phone and I ask him what he was saying. "Aluminum is bad, you need a certificate to work with it." I said "What!?, I never heard of that." Apparently, at one time, he met a guy that had a "License" to terminate aluminum. Should people be this afraid of using aluminum? I should mention the second guy in this conversation is more of an electronics guy than an electrician.

 

[jwjrw]

I recently spoke over the phone to an associate of mine whom asked about feeding a 75a load in a dwelling. He's very cost conscious so I mentioned running aluminum to it. He told me (He's a GC not an EC) he does not like AL cable, I said what about the service in your new house, that's AL isn't it? "NO, I specified copper", he said. At the same time I'm listening to him, a co-worker of mine is shaking his head and mouthing the word no. I get off the phone and I ask him what he was saying. "Aluminum is bad, you need a certificate to work with it." I said "What!?, I never heard of that." Apparently, at one time, he met a guy that had a "License" to terminate aluminum. Should people be this afraid of using aluminum? I should mention the second guy in this conversation is more of an electronics guy than an electrician.

We used to use only copper because we didnt think the old AL was good for lack of a better word.
Todays Al wire is made better for lack of a better word and does not have the reputation that old Al did.
That saying I dont have a problem pulling AL but I do like copper better.

Never heard of a license for Al work

 

[Volta]

Aluminum is fine. But if the loads will fluctuate widely the repeated expansion and contractions may reduce termination pressures prematurely.

Special care may be needed, but not certification.

 

[Regularkevin]

Last 3 projects I worked on used Al feeders.

 

[ActionDave]

Nothing is wrong with Al. I fed both panels in my own house with Al SER and my service lateral is Al also.

People get a notion and facts won't make a difference in their thinking.

 

[augie47]

At one time in this area, the only know available means to add copper pigtails to aluminum Romex was with a tool and crimp manufactured by AMP. They required a class and "license" to use that tool.
Locally, that method gave birth to the statement that you had to have a special license to repair/install aluminum

 

[jwjrw]

At one time in this area, the only know available means to add copper pigtails to aluminum Romex was with a tool and crimp manufactured by AMP. They required a class and "license" to use that tool.
Locally, that method gave birth to the statement that you had to have a special license to repair/install aluminum

Wow you are from the dinosaur days to remember /know that!

 

[augie47]

Wow you are from the dinosaur days to remember /know that!

unfortunately, true
View attachment 4262

 

[jwjrw]

unfortunately, true
View attachment 4262

My dads 62 been doing this for 40 years... I tease you old farts but I also learn alot from you...I tell dad "you are good for something " dont listen to mom!

 

[SEO]

unfortunately, true
View attachment 4262

Gus you seem to have a great memory. I forgot about that AMP tool and license until you mentioned it in your post.

 

[charlietuna]

I am a certified infrared thermographer -- nothing wrong with aluminum provided it is not overloaded and sized properly AND TERMINATE CORRECTLY !

 

[LarryFine]

At one time in this area, the only know available means to add copper pigtails to aluminum Romex was with a tool and crimp manufactured by AMP. They required a class and "license" to use that tool.

There's a big difference between #12 and #10 al NM cabling and larger sizes, like #8 and larger.

 

[LarryFine]

Wow you are from the dinosaur days to remember /know that!

Then I must be older than dirt since I began wiring when aluminum BC wiring was new.

 

[SEO]

Then I must be older than dirt since I began wiring when aluminum BC wiring was new.

Larry what is BC wiring? Do you mean BX?

 

[~Shado~]

Larry what is BC wiring? Do you mean BX?

Branch Circuit....

 

[sameguy]

I sold an AMP in 1980 first one in the Syracuse area.

 

[LarryFine]

Larry what is BC wiring? Do you mean BX?

Branch Circuit....

Exactamundo!

 

[brian john]

Short Answer, NO.

 

[George Stolz]

In googling around looking for the new AL alloy standard that is different than the wiring used in the 70's (I believe the standard is called AA-2000, but wouldn't swear to it now), I came across this website refuting my belief that the new alloy is chiefly responsible for the improvement on safety of AL feeders today.

So is it the alloy which makes it safer today, or the practice of using fewer connections (i.e. restricting it's use to feeders and individual branch circuits?

 

[augie47]

In googling around looking for the new AL alloy standard that is different than the wiring used in the 70's (I believe the standard is called AA-2000, but wouldn't swear to it now), I came across this website refuting my belief that the new alloy is chiefly responsible for the improvement on safety of AL feeders today.

So is it the alloy which makes it safer today, or the practice of using fewer connections (i.e. restricting it's use to feeders and individual branch circuits?

Here's Southwire's "spin" and it identidies the alloys.
http://www.southwire.com/support/ALBuildingWire30YrsOfReliability.htm