Al/Cu rated couplers

Status
Not open for further replies.
lbwireman

lbwireman

Senior Member
Location
Long Beach, CA
At some point in the last month or 2, I remember seeing a product review or maybe it was a "new product" ad in one of the trade mags for an alternative to the Ideal Purple wire nuts or the "Copalum" system for pigtailing existing Al wiring with Cu for connection to devices. Now I can't find where I saw it. As I'm pretty sure we'd all agree, Al wire was a bad idea for any sort of power distribution in structures. However, twisting a combination of Al and Cu under a wire nut seems to be a poor solution and the proprietary Copalum system seems a bit predatory in their business model vis a vis contractors/users of their system. Has anybody seen this gadget? I recall it looked something like a Polaris connector (insulated screw lug with rubber caps to weather proof the screws after connection). Thanks.
Sean
BTW, what is the difference between a "junior" and a "senior" member? I'm old enough to get Senior Citizen discounts anywhere that offers 'em. An' while at my age I'd love ta be "junior" anything, I am curious. :-?
 
I don't know about something "new", but AL/CU rated set screw type butt connectors have been on the market for ages. A homeowner can go to Lowe's or HomeDepot and buy them. I've still got a couple kicking around here from ILSCO that are quite old. You just need to tape them up. It sounds like you've seen a preinsulated version, which is just a new twist on an old connector.

I wouldn't say that AMP is predatory with the CopAlum system. Their AmPact system has the same distribution model, and it works well for me.
 
Last edited:
mdshunk said:
I don't know about something "new", but AL/CU rated set screw type butt connectors have been on the market for ages. A homeowner can go to Lowe's or HomeDepot and buy them. I've still got a couple kicking around here from ILSCO that are quite old. You just need to tape them up. It sounds like you've seen a preinsulated version, which is just a new twist on an old connector.

I wouldn't say that AMP is predatory with the CopAlum system. Their AmPact system has the same distribution model, and it works well for me.
Click to expand...
Hey Marc,
Maybe "predatory" was too strong a word but I do have an objection to their (Tyco/AMPs) practice of requiring a contract and certification training ($750) before being allowed to lease (their website states "Tool is NOT available for sale") what is essentially a crimping tool (3 month min. lease). I guess I just don't like the idea of a tool manufacturer having that much control of my tool inventory and how (and how often) it has to be used in a given time frame to pay for itself.
 
Also, the butt connectors you mention (I am familiar with them) are not CPSC recommended (this is an issue in our area) and don't make provision for coupling multiple Al conductors with a Cu pigtail. The Polaris units will allow multiple conductors but take up too much space in outlet boxes. The items I saw in the ad? review? were space efficient and allowed multiple conductor connections.

I still wanna know how I got ta be "junior" again?:grin:
 
that copulam system has some flaws and is not worth it the tool crimps too tight and smashes the wire where it could break off. I have used these new lugs got um at lowes and like um except when the wire is too short and your trying to turn the screws in the box.
 
Also, the butt connectors you mention (I am familiar with them) are not CPSC recommended (this is an issue in our area) and don't make provision for coupling multiple Al conductors with a Cu pigtail.
Click to expand...
The only problem with that is that the only information that the CPSC looked at was provided by Amp, and a number of the statements are not completely true. The material was written to promote a specific product.
Don
 
don_resqcapt19 said:
The only problem with that is that the only information that the CPSC looked at was provided by Amp, and a number of the statements are not completely true. The material was written to promote a specific product.
Don
Click to expand...

Don't ya love that?

Hi - I'm selling these widgits
No, I already have widgits
Mine are better - look at this report I made to prove mine are superior

:D
 
Status
Not open for further replies.
Top