Alum wire - When prohibited?

[Ragin Cajun]

OK, here are two representative pictures. They speak for themselves. See how many NEC violations you can find!

The panels were made by B&C Kearney and the label says to use ZINSCO(!) breakers. I COULD NOT FIND A UL LABEL.

Don't know how the pictures will turn out. 39K doesn't leave for much of a picture!

The wires going inside are so short they will not be long enough to reach the breakers in a new panel so they will have to be replaced. As for the rest of the aluminum wire . . .


The picture of the interior of the panel is just the way I found it when I opened the outer cover. The inner cover was missing.

 

[Jim W in Tampa]

"It's my name going on that drawing, not yours. If I don't like what you want, it ain't going on the drawings! "

Thats fine but it might cost you customers.If its my house and what i want is legal then you either allow or i fire you.

 

[Ragin Cajun]

"It's my name going on that drawing, not yours. If I don't like what you want, it ain't going on the drawings! "

Thats fine but it might cost you customers.If its my house and what i want is legal then you either allow or i fire you.

True. What I need to say is if it's not to code or standard engineering practice. Gotta correct that.

 

[paul32]

This is a article from the IAEI JAn FEB 06

http://www.iaei.org/subscriber/magazine/06_a/hunter.html,


Charlie

Regarding wire brushing and antioxidant, this article first says that you should do both for proper installation, and then says UL indicates you should if recommended by the lug manufacturer. I've heard both statements before but this is the first I've seen both in the same article. Has anyone looked at NECA/AA 104 ?Installing Aluminum Building Wire and Cable?? What does it say on this issue?

Actually, I bet NECA/AA is the wire brush and antioxidant is proper and UL is the do it if the manufacturer recommends it. It is hard to know the proper method to install when there is conflicting information.

 

[cpal]

Paul

I believe that some of the fonflict regarding installation techniques results from some of the lugs (compression stlye) are packed with an inhibitor from the Mfg. In some of these instances the instructions indicate that there is a granular within the inhibitor that will shatter the oxidation on the conductor when the proper pressure is applied with a tool (Hyd ).

I agree the literature that is available for review is conflicting and there is usually a difference of opinion at the installation level makinging it tedious for code enforcement.


I am interested in all comments regarding these issues

Charlie

 

[Ragin Cajun]

I had a discussion with the local city inspector this morning. He basically agrees with me on the mess outside.

He did mention one very interesting tid-bit. The meter/service panels on the exterior was supplied back in the late 60's early 70's by the utility, Duke Power. That explains the lack of UL listing. May also explain a few other things, too. But, he thought that Duke may help pay to replace them. That's an interesting path to go down, to say the least.

I will write the report this weekend and will recommend complete removal of all esisting aluminum wiring and service equipment. From what I can see the existing wiring is not the "newer" alloy aluminum.

What did I get into??!!

 

[cpal]

life is an adventure!!

Charlie

 

[dan_mcquiston]

Not to worry, it ain't so. Aluminum branch circuits are not allowed for anythink smaller than #6. And many new appliance manufactures are not allowing any aluminum conductors to be used. For my company I only use copper for any branch circuit. Too many problems with shrinkage with Al.

 

[iwire]

Not to worry, it ain't so. Aluminum branch circuits are not allowed for anythink smaller than #6.

That may be a local amendment but as far as the NEC is concerned you may use aluminum as small as 12 AWG.

And many new appliance manufactures are not allowing any aluminum conductors to be used.

Lets be specific, many appliances have terminals for copper only. If you wanted to you could run an aluminum branch circuit up to the appliance switch to copper or use a pin adapter at the appliance.

For my company I only use copper for any branch circuit. Too many problems with shrinkage with Al.

That is obviously a personal choice that is yours to make, however aluminum conductors today are not the same alloy they where when they got the bad rep.