Aluminum Wire Re-Termination

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MD12297

MD12297

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Joppa, MD
I have a friend who is a realtor, he asks me to reterminate aluminum wiring from time to time for outlets and switches. I either replace the devices with CO/ALR receptacles and switches or use the King Innovations AlumiCon as they are UL approved and approved by the AHJ here in Maryland.

Recently he had a home inspector request that the light fixtures be pig tailed as well. Does anyone know if this is necessary? what would you recommend?

Thoughts ?
 
Are you looking at fixtures with screw terminals, such as keyless sockets? Or fixtures with attached fixture wire leads?
If the former, the same measures as for devices would seem appropriate.
If the latter, just using an aluminum/copper rated wire connector seems simpler than pigtailing with a crimp, and satisfactory.
 
MD12297 said:
Recently he had a home inspector request that the light fixtures be pig tailed as well. Does anyone know if this is necessary? what would you recommend?
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The key word here is "home inspector". A home inspection is not a code inspection and may not even be a safety inspection. It's just the "opinion" of the home inspector that is hired for this inspection.

If it comes down to it and they are willing to pay for it you do whatever is necessary for the owner to sell the house.
 
MD12297 said:
I have a friend who is a realtor, he asks me to reterminate aluminum wiring from time to time for outlets and switches. I either replace the devices with CO/ALR receptacles and switches or use the King Innovations AlumiCon as they are UL approved and approved by the AHJ here in Maryland.

Recently he had a home inspector request that the light fixtures be pig tailed as well. Does anyone know if this is necessary? what would you recommend?

Thoughts ?
Click to expand...
Just wanted to add, UL does not "approve" anything. They investigate a product for it's intended use and they identify or list a product for the specific use, application, location and so on. The "approval" comes from the AHJ who accepts the listing of a product for a specific intent.

As for the Home Inspector, they are all geared to the side of safety and when I say ALL that is part of their SOP. They have the right to note anything that they may feel is a safety concern and then leave it up the client to make that decision. I am sure he did not make a "request" but a recommendation, which is within the scope of his inspection authority. Right or wrong or indifferent....that is the scope of their process.
 
My guess is that it would be a 110.3 issue. The instructions most likely say the fixture supply wires bed to be copper and rated 90c. I've wondered about a similar issue when replacing lights in an older home where the supply conductors are only rated 40c or 60c. I think u would simply have to pig trail a piece of thhn on then connect the fixture.
 
mjc763 said:
My guess is that it would be a 110.3 issue. The instructions most likely say the fixture supply wires bed to be copper and rated 90c. I've wondered about a similar issue when replacing lights in an older home where the supply conductors are only rated 40c or 60c. I think u would simply have to pig trail a piece of thhn on then connect the fixture.
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Yes, most fixtures I've ever seen require 90 degree wiring. If not present (older homes) a pigtail is required. If aluminum wiring is present, appropriate al/cu connector is required for the pigtail.
 
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