Any one have documentation on aluminum wire from 70’s

[don_resqcapt19]

Agreed its a violation, though rarely enforced or noticed I just wanted to make sure people whom cut corners and use it were aware the lesser alloys is still in use. I often see stripped SER or URD triplex cable pulled all the way to the meter, and I have seen many installs where they used it to the main breaker that are not a listed NEC wire type.
Such as this one:
forums.mikeholt.com/threads/aluminum-wire.2579305/page-3#post-2900673

SE cable, of which SER is one type of, is in the code and both the code and the product standard requires the use of the AA-8000 series alloys.
USE is permitted to use the 1350 alloy.

Now the issue of stripping the jacket off of the SE is a different issue from that of the conductor alloy.

 

[AC\DC]

Before when copper was 100 bucks more a roll I think it would've took off but now I'm not even using aluminum feeders till 2awg

I like using ser for 75% table vs nmb though
But ya if I can pull copper I will

 

[letgomywago]

I like using ser for 75% table vs nmb though
But ya if I can pull copper I will

They make copper ser ots pretty cheap at the moment too for ampacity till 3awg.

 

[AC\DC]

I have not looked at copper ser I’ll have to peak at it

 

[letgomywago]

I have not looked at copper ser I’ll have to peak at it

Check a couple places platt and wire and cable your way are a bit pricy for it right now.

 

[Jraef]

If there was nothing wrong they would of never stoped using it

Never underestimate the power of negative press… if house buyers keep Insisting on houses not being wired in aluminum, builders will stop using it, even if you can show proof that nothing is wrong.

 

[LarryFine]

Never underestimate the power of negative press…

My first car was a '65 Corvair.

 

[Jraef]

My first car was a '65 Corvair.

And you obviously survived it being “unsafe at any speed”…

I was in an accident in a Pinto, I didn’t die in a ball of fire.

 

[mtnelect]

This aluminum thing was all started by HUD, to save money. If any city refused to allow aluminum wiring in their building code they would be blocked for any federal funding for new housing in their city.

 

[mtnelect]

So much about safety in the building codes. It's always about money.

 

[electrofelon]

SE cable, of which SER is one type of, is in the code and both the code and the product standard requires the use of the AA-8000 series alloys.
USE is permitted to use the 1350 alloy.

Now the issue of stripping the jacket off of the SE is a different issue from that of the conductor alloy.

Agreed its a violation, though rarely enforced or noticed I just wanted to make sure people whom cut corners and use it were aware the lesser alloys is still in use. I often see stripped SER or URD triplex cable pulled all the way to the meter, and I have seen many installs where they used it to the main breaker that are not a listed NEC wire type.
Such as this one:
forums.mikeholt.com/threads/aluminum-wire.2579305/page-3#post-2900673

Every SE cable I have seen has XHHW or THWN inners so there is no issue cannibalizing SE for individual conductors.

 

[mtnelect]

No matter how you look at it, Aluminum wiring "Sucks".

 

[AC\DC]

No matter how you look at it, Aluminum wiring "Sucks".

Larger wire I see no problem?

 

[electrofelon]

This aluminum thing was all started by HUD, to save money. If any city refused to allow aluminum wiring in their building code they would be blocked for any federal funding for new housing in their city.

Do you have a source for that? I have never heard that, and just that the use of aluminum branch circuit wiring was because of very high copper prices in the 60's.

 

[mtnelect]

Do you have a source for that? I have never heard that, and just that the use of aluminum branch circuit wiring was because of very high copper prices in the 60's.

How did that work out ?

 

[mtnelect]

During that time, I had many service calls of receptacles burning up because of loose aluminum wiring. How about you ?

 

[electrofelon]

How did that work out ?

During that time, I had many service calls of receptacles burning up because of loose aluminum wiring. How about you ?

IF you ever want to post a source for your statement that HUD started AL wiring, just post it on the forum here, we would all like to see it.

 

[tortuga]

If I had to do allot of re-termination of old AL wiring on 15 and 20A circuits I'd look into one of these power crimp tools
its like a mini version of what linemen use:
https://www.te.com/usa-en/products/...ing-tools/intersection/retermination-kit.html

 

[mtnelect]

IF you ever want to post a source for your statement that HUD started AL wiring, just post it on the forum here, we would all like to see it.

In the City of Los Angeles aluminum "Romex" was not approved, but around 1960 HUD started an aggressive rollout of low-cost housing regulations to support low-income earners like Section 8. Around that time, the City of Los Angeles changed its electrical code to allow it, including other low-cost building materials. Like plastic water, sewer and gas lines.

I believe other jurisdictions around the country did the same.

I agree it was because aluminum was cheaper than copper.

It was a more subtle change, not just HUD requiring aluminum Romex, only for low-cost housing.

 

[Frank DuVal]

Nmb cable with aluminum wire

You mean NM? NMB came out in 1984..

Picky., picky,, picky...

aa8000 NM came out in 1972 or so!

And because of Larry and that $50 65 Corsa (wait, you can get a $50 car that performs this well?) I still drive Corvairs!