Aluminum conductors in California
- Thread starter mikebrink
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brantmacga
Señor Member
- Location
- Georgia
- Occupation
- Former Child
find the website of whoever governs the code adoption in your state. if they prohibit something, they will have an amendment to the code, and its more than likely published online.
chris500
Member
- Location
- FL, MO, IL, KS, TX
Aluminum is prohibited in IL also, I'm sure there are other states / local municipalities that have adopted similar ordinances.
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
110.5 (2002) Conductors normally used to carry current shall be of copper.....
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
Chris,
Don
Where does it say that? Illinois does not have a statewide electrical code.
Don
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
John,
It is otherwise provided in 310.2(B).
You have to look at the complete rule...it goes on to say "unless otherwise provided in this Code."
It is otherwise provided in 310.2(B).
Don
petersonra
Senior Member
- Location
- Northern illinois
- Occupation
- Semi-retired engineer
don_resqcapt19 said:
yea. What he said. Chicago bans all kinds of things so it would not be surprising if AL conductors were not allowed.
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
Yeah I know Don, but didn't it used to say somewhere that aluminum conductors had to be #8 or larger or something to that effect? Or maybe that was in the Los Angeles electrical code.
The only thing I can find now is 310.14 (2002) Solid aluminum conductors 8, 10, and 12 AWG shall be made of an AA-8000 series electrical grade aluminum alloy conductor material.
The only thing I can find now is 310.14 (2002) Solid aluminum conductors 8, 10, and 12 AWG shall be made of an AA-8000 series electrical grade aluminum alloy conductor material.
Last edited:
LarryFine
Master Electrician Electric Contractor Richmond VA
- Location
- Henrico County, VA
- Occupation
- Electrical Contractor
I didn't know they were even available anymore.cowboyjwc said:
- Location
- Simi Valley, CA
Found this on a web site while trying to research an answer. Says that no one manufactues anything smaller than #8 for SEU cable and #6 AWG for single conductor. So even though it is legal to use, no one makes it.
How Safe is Aluminum wire?...
Aluminum wire is still approved by the N.E.C. But this on the assumption that everything will be done perfect. Having said that i would like to give a little advice on using aluminum wire when you are building a new home. For the sake of saving a few dollars, it is not worth the safety hazard you face when using this wire. This is not only my opinion but the opinion of many others in the trade. Many times i have been called to repair corroded connections using this wire. Most of the time the aluminum wire had to be replaced with copper. One other piece of advice, before you consider buying a home with aluminum wire you might want to check with the insurance company. Some of them may refuse to insure a house with aluminum wire.
There are a lot of homes that have been wired with aluminum wiring and it would not be financially possible to rewire the entire house or service. There are a few things you can do to make sure that the wiring is not becoming a problem. You should be on the lookout for devices or lighting going on and off. Breakers or outlets overheating. Have the main panel checked for corrosion or loose connections. When adding copper devices or wire to aluminum, make sure this work is done by someone who knows the proper procedure for this type of wiring. A little preventative maintenance can go a long way in preventing future safety hazards.
The article below was sent in by a rep. for an aluminum company.
Bob, Thanks for the information you've made available on your site. If possible, you may want to update the information regarding aluminum building wire. Nearly 95% of residential homes built today are using aluminum cable for Service Entrance. The aluminum building wire in use today (the only one approved by the NEC) is the 8000 Series aluminum alloy. Even though this cable is approved for sizes 12 AWG and larger, no manufacturer produces sizes smaller than #8 (for SEU cable)and #6 AWG for single conductor.
I agree, that if someone has aluminum cable in a house older than,say, the mid eighties, chances are it is NOT 8000 series. The previous product was actually the same aluminum utility cable (EC1350) that is still used on power lines today. However, it was a mis-application to bring this product into a house for switches and receptacles. The Aluminum Association, along with cable manufacturers, and CONNECTOR manufacturers set out to rectify this problem, resulting in the 8000 series alloy in use today. Here in Florida, projects ranging from single family homes to Raymond James Stadium, are incoporating 8000 Series for electrical feeders. Just thought you should know.
How Safe is Aluminum wire?...
Aluminum wire is still approved by the N.E.C. But this on the assumption that everything will be done perfect. Having said that i would like to give a little advice on using aluminum wire when you are building a new home. For the sake of saving a few dollars, it is not worth the safety hazard you face when using this wire. This is not only my opinion but the opinion of many others in the trade. Many times i have been called to repair corroded connections using this wire. Most of the time the aluminum wire had to be replaced with copper. One other piece of advice, before you consider buying a home with aluminum wire you might want to check with the insurance company. Some of them may refuse to insure a house with aluminum wire.
There are a lot of homes that have been wired with aluminum wiring and it would not be financially possible to rewire the entire house or service. There are a few things you can do to make sure that the wiring is not becoming a problem. You should be on the lookout for devices or lighting going on and off. Breakers or outlets overheating. Have the main panel checked for corrosion or loose connections. When adding copper devices or wire to aluminum, make sure this work is done by someone who knows the proper procedure for this type of wiring. A little preventative maintenance can go a long way in preventing future safety hazards.
The article below was sent in by a rep. for an aluminum company.
Bob, Thanks for the information you've made available on your site. If possible, you may want to update the information regarding aluminum building wire. Nearly 95% of residential homes built today are using aluminum cable for Service Entrance. The aluminum building wire in use today (the only one approved by the NEC) is the 8000 Series aluminum alloy. Even though this cable is approved for sizes 12 AWG and larger, no manufacturer produces sizes smaller than #8 (for SEU cable)and #6 AWG for single conductor.
I agree, that if someone has aluminum cable in a house older than,say, the mid eighties, chances are it is NOT 8000 series. The previous product was actually the same aluminum utility cable (EC1350) that is still used on power lines today. However, it was a mis-application to bring this product into a house for switches and receptacles. The Aluminum Association, along with cable manufacturers, and CONNECTOR manufacturers set out to rectify this problem, resulting in the 8000 series alloy in use today. Here in Florida, projects ranging from single family homes to Raymond James Stadium, are incoporating 8000 Series for electrical feeders. Just thought you should know.
- Location
- Illinois
- Occupation
- retired electrician
John,
The new alloy for branch circuit sizes came out in 1974. We did a number of appartment complexes using that and CO/ALR rated devices. There were no more problems on those jobs than on all copper jobs and we did the service work on those apartments for about 25 years.
As far as I know the code had never had wording that prevented the use of aluminum conductors of any size.
Don
The new alloy for branch circuit sizes came out in 1974. We did a number of appartment complexes using that and CO/ALR rated devices. There were no more problems on those jobs than on all copper jobs and we did the service work on those apartments for about 25 years.
As far as I know the code had never had wording that prevented the use of aluminum conductors of any size.
Don
JohnJ0906
Senior Member
- Location
- Baltimore, MD
I know that some jurisdictions here have amended the NEC to restict the size of AL wire.
Baltimore county and Howard county - #4 AL or larger OK
Anne Arundel county - #6 AL or larger OK
Baltimore county and Howard county - #4 AL or larger OK
Anne Arundel county - #6 AL or larger OK
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