Aluminum Wiring

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kriverswaters

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I performed an electrical wiring inspection in a condominium that had aprroxiamtely seven receptacle\lighting 15A circuits that were installed with aluminum wiring. I randomly checked three of the indoor receptacles, and all three of the checked receptacles were all installed with a copper pigtail\wirenut between the device and the incoming aluminum wire. I did not find any "De-ox" inside the wire nut though. Is this a code violation and where in the NEC is this issue addressed?
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

Most of the wirenuts (red, tan, etc.)are rated for "Copper" only. The NEC 110.14 states that it is a violation to wire nut these connections.(Aluminum to copper pigtail) It seems to me, that it is still a violation even if you add DE-Ox to the wire nut. Am I correct???
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

How are we, as electrical contractors,tell if the aluminum wiring installed in these condos are "AA-8000" series electrical grade??? (NEC 310.14)
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

If this was a listed connector for AL/CU splices and installed according to manufacturers instructions then its OK. That said, you may not have any way of knowing if this is the case. I am not at all sure that listed connectors for this use were available at the time you say they were built.
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

Your right. I have no way of knowing when these copper "pigtails" were added. I did check the receptacles themselves, and I could not find a "CU" or "AL" rating on them at all. I am "guessing" that sometime in the past thirty years, someone has addressed this issue, and the copper pigtails were added. I did not find any corrosion, or arcing inside the wire nut, and all "appeared" to be a good connection.
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

So it was wired in aluminum in late 60's early 70's and some time after that was pigtailed.What rules were inforced and what year code was being used at the time ? While i dont like it they might not have broke the code at the time.My first taste of aluminum was on my sisters brand new home in about 1968.At time i was witing the basement and i used copper but really had no idea what this new stuff was about.How do you know when they did all this ? Like it or not you might have to pass it.I would want a certified letter sent tellin the owner of the danger.
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

Because 110.14(B) requires conductors to be spliced with ?splicing devices identified for the use,? wire connectors are required to be marked for conductor suitability. Twist-on wire connectors are not suitable for splicing aluminum conductors or copper-clad aluminum to copper conductors unless it is so stated and marked as such on the shipping carton. The marking is typically ?AL-CU (dry locations).? Presently, one style of wire nut and one style of crimp-type connector have been listed as having met these requirements.
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

Thank you for the responses. I'm still a "little" confused about how to tell if the wiring installed will meet the "AA-8000" NEC (310.14)requirements. And it appears that even though the wiring seems to show "no faults" in the connections at the circuit breakers and end devices, the proper solution is to make sure every receptacle and light switch installed in this condo, has pigtails of copper, and the wire nuts used for the pigtails, are rated for AL\CU. What a major expense to a seller trying to sell this condo.I do understand the expense of "replacing" this condo because of faulty wiring would be more expensive though. What a hassle this aluminum wiring is to us contractors out in the field.
They (whomever) should have NEVER allowed it.
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

I would recommend bringing the connections up to current standards period. Even if the existing installation was code compliant at one time, Al. connections have some real hazard potential.
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

I'm in the process of selling my Dad's house which was built / wired in 1969, and, you guessed it, aluminum wire was used. Since I know that a home inspector will be called in as soon as we get an offer, I'm preparing to get the aluminum wire spliced out with copper. I've found out that the "wirenut" way, even using the listed purple wirenuts isn't reliable. Apparently the only way is the AMP COPALUM method which can only be done by AMP certified installers. In the great state of IN, there are presently 2 contractors certified, neither of which is anywhere near me. :(

I installed thousands of feet of this stuff myself in the '70's, so I guess I did it to myself. Poetic justice.
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

I've found out that the "wirenut" way, even using the listed purple wirenuts isn't reliable. Apparently the only way is the AMP COPALUM method which can only be done by AMP certified
Click to expand...
UL and Ideal do not agree. Most of the information that says these wirenuts don't work comes from the manufacturer of the other product.
Don
 
Re: Aluminum Wiring

There is (was) at least one type of "sta-kon" type crimp coupling that I used a long time ago,It was listed for the use. One end had alumilox type goop inside it for the alum. wire and the other side was for the cu. pigtail. You also needed to get the crimp tool that they spec.ed.
 
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