Aluminum wire on residential branch circuits

[aline]

ok so what would eb the popular consenus on Aluminum wire?
given the choice would you pigtail and replace devices with copper rated devies or simply just replace the devices using COALR rated devices.

I prefer to install copper pigtails using the connector in the link below.
If the box is too small I replace it.

http://www.alcopstore.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWCATS&Category=2

 

[don_resqcapt19]

Don, thanks for your reply. I believe House was built around 1970-1973, how do you determine what type of alloy the wire is?

I would expect that is the older alloy. I am not sure what the markings on the wires are that would let you know what is what.

 

[PetrosA]

I've only used the purple wirenuts on a few occasions, and the photo of the set screw is the first time I've seen that connector at all. I'd say cu/al devices are probably the best way to go, but they are expensive and hard to get around here.

 

[aline]

I've only used the purple wirenuts on a few occasions, and the photo of the set screw is the first time I've seen that connector at all. I'd say cu/al devices are probably the best way to go, but they are expensive and hard to get around here.

Can you get cu/al rated GFCI recepacles?
What about dimmers?

Also you still have light fixtures to deal with.

 

[mivey]

I've only used the purple wirenuts on a few occasions, and the photo of the set screw is the first time I've seen that connector at all. I'd say cu/al devices are probably the best way to go, but they are expensive and hard to get around here.

We made repairs for years using wire nuts and de-ox. We always twisted the wires first (yeah, I'm one of those even with copper). Copper leads were added using de-ox when we needed a copper termination. CO/ALR device were used where the aluminum remained.

I know for sure that many of these repairs are still working today.

At the time I was learning, I did not realize there were two different types in place so don't recall anyone ever showing me the difference.

 

[hardworkingstiff]

In the mid 70's I was taught to twist copper to aluminum, then add vaseline and standard wire nuts. I wish I coud go back to see how they held up.

 

[ishium 80439]

My opinion is pigtailing is the way to go. I've gone through a bunch of purples and do agree that they can be a hassle.

I do like the idea of the set screw terminations and was even sent one as a sample when I contacted the company but do not have experience installing them. The one downside to those was the torque factor. They are rated to be installed at "x" pound-inches. I don't know about the rest of you but I don't even own a torque screwdriver much less keep one with me. When talking to the company rep he said something to the effect of "Turn it 1.5 times past when it is snug and that gets you pretty close". When I asked him about having that in writing in the packaging for liability purposes he more or less pointed at something shiny and asked me about the weather.

My feeling about CO/ALR devices is that while they are rated so were the devices installed on the Al conductors originally and I have seen more than one of those fail due to excessive heating.

My .02

 

[aline]

I don't know about the rest of you but I don't even own a torque screwdriver much less keep one with me.

I own one and keep it in my tool pouch at all times. I always use it when I install the Alumiconn connectors.

I was telling a customer about these the other day and he sent me this e-mail.

If possible, I would like to see you replace one receptacle with those purple connectors ( Of course I would pay for it) but with cost in mine I would like to do those my self.) So that I can purchase them on the internet and over time get them installed throughout my home.

 

[Pierre C Belarge]

If a search is done, there will be many results on this topic, as I remember seeing it discussed quite a few times in the past. I was one who had responded to a few of the threads.

Years ago, I did a large (more than 10,000 splices) job with the Ideal Model 65 Twister wirenuts.

I have also been involved with the Tyco method installation, again 1000's of terminations.

Both have their plus an minus situations.

I can tell you that the job I did with the Ideal wirenuts is still holding up well after more than 9 years. (one of my employees now holds a license and is doing maintenance in the buildings)

It all really boils down to proper installation, possibly being somewhat more careful and attentive towards aluminum installations.

I will also say, that those buildings we performed the work on, 90% of the existing failures were on the grounded conductor, not the phase conductors, almost 99% were at the screw terminal of the devices, very, very few were at the wirenuts- which at the time were the plain old 'B' caps.

 

[LarryFine]

I was telling a customer about these the other day and he sent me this e-mail.

You mean teach him how to not need you? Sure, just charge for the one he watches what you would profit to do them all yourself.

When he asks why the charge is so high, explain that the work itself is (relatively) easy. Teaching others how to do it is expensive.

 

[mivey]

You mean teach him how to not need you? Sure, just charge for the one he watches what you would profit to do them all yourself.

When he asks why the charge is so high, explain that the work itself is (relatively) easy. Teaching others how to do it is expensive.

He is not going to pay someone to come in and make preventative changes. If he is a real go-getter, he is probably bound and determined to learn to do this for himself. He may even decide to become an electrician one day.

Why not show him the right way to do it? A lot of the time, people want to know how to do something. When they find out it involves real work and/or takes real time, they usually get someone else to do it for them anyway.

A customer's knowledge is not what takes your business, it is their determination to get their hands dirty and do for themselves.

If he does it right: great you have someone who looks up to you and will call on you for something else. If he does it wrong: great you have someone who looks up to you and will call on you to fix his mess.

Bottom line: You will not prevent him from doing it himself if that is what he is determined to do.

When I die, I hope to have made the world a better place by passing along the knowledge others have shared with me.

 

[Riograndeelectric]

I own one and keep it in my tool pouch at all times. I always use it when I install the Alumiconn connectors.

I was telling a customer about these the other day and he sent me this e-mail.

can you send me the info on the one you have or a link to it.
I have used the Alumicon before and can remember that the installation instructions listed the UL approved method as using a torque screwdriver but that an alternate way is going 1.5 turns past snug.

 

[mivey]

can you send me the info on the one you have or a link to it.
I have used the Alumicon before and can remember that the installation instructions listed the UL approved method as using a torque screwdriver but that an alternate way is going 1.5 turns past snug.

1.5 turns past snug is in no shape, form, or fashion an accurate means of specifying how to precisely tighten anything as an alternative to using a torque wrench.