Home inspector asking for rec. pigtails

[patricknola]

Good morning, I've got a potential customer who is selling a house. The home inspector returned a report saying the branch circuits are aluminum wire. That all the receptacles need to be updated(which has been done) and that the receptacles need to be pigtailed. Is anyone familiar with what this could possibly mean?

 

[roger]

Just a HI's wish. Even with al wiring there is no requirement for pigtails

 

[Strathead]

Good morning, I've got a potential customer who is selling a house. The home inspector returned a report saying the branch circuits are aluminum wire. That all the receptacles need to be updated(which has been done) and that the receptacles need to be pigtailed. Is anyone familiar with what this could possibly mean?

Two circumstances where wires have to be pigtailed, if you have a multiwire branch circuit that terminates in or passes through the box, the neutrals need to be pigtailed, grounds needs to be pigtailed, in both cases removing the device isn't allowed to interrupt continuity.

 

[LarryFine]

You do know that compliance with anything in an H.I. report is totally voluntary, don't you?

 

[Little Bill]

If the aluminum wires were connected to new receptacles, and the new receptacles were rated copper only, then copper pigtails would be required. However, the pigtail connection device would have to be cu and Al rated.

 

[roger]

Two circumstances where wires have to be pigtailed, if you have a multiwire branch circuit that terminates in or passes through the box, the neutrals need to be pigtailed, grounds needs to be pigtailed, in both cases removing the device isn't allowed to interrupt continuity.

I should have mentioned that in my post but it seems as though the OP was saying the HI wanted all receptacles pigtailed.

 

[LarryFine]

I should have mentioned that in my post but it seems as though the OP was saying the HI wanted all receptacles pigtailed.

Let him pay for it.

 

[patricknola]

I realize the home inspector might know anything about the code but he did reference the code book . He's also asking for penetrox on the receptacles.

 

[roger]

What article and section did he reference? As Larry stated, HI's do not have real authority, they are simply observers. This doesn't mean I don't have respect for the service they are providing but many times they are a little off base.

 

[LarryFine]

I realize the home inspector might know anything about the code but he did reference the code book . He's also asking for penetrox on the receptacles.

Installations that were compliant when installed do not have to be updated.

 

[suemarkp]

Are modern receptacles cu-alr rated? I thought none were anymore, so you need a copper pigtail to the receptacle. Change a receptacle and then AFCI requirements kick in on that circuit.

 

[letgomywago]

Are modern receptacles cu-alr rated? I thought none were anymore, so you need a copper pigtail to the receptacle. Change a receptacle and then AFCI requirements kick in on that circuit.

They make AL rated receptacles and switches still but they aren't tamper resistant. Most 30 amp+ are ALCU. AFCI breakers are AL CU

 

[Fred B]

Good morning, I've got a potential customer who is selling a house. The home inspector returned a report saying the branch circuits are aluminum wire. That all the receptacles need to be updated(which has been done) and that the receptacles need to be pigtailed. Is anyone familiar with what this could possibly mean?

110.14 requires receptacles and switches be listed for use with Al wire. Likely the "cheapest" work around is the pigtail option.
The other thing that will come up is the home inspector not actually seeing Al wire but tinned Copper, it is a common visual mistake. I would first confirm that what you have is indeed Aluminum.

 

[James L]

If the aluminum wires were connected to new receptacles, and the new receptacles were rated copper only, then copper pigtails would be required

This was my first thought as the most likely scenario

 

[GoldDigger]

Installations that were compliant when installed do not have to be updated.

But where old alloy Aluminum wire is involved, retrofitting may be a very good idea.

 

[augie47]

But where old alloy Aluminum wire is involved, retrofitting may be a very good idea.

Where old AL alloy is involved on branch circuit wiring "run, Forrest, run" might also be a good idea

 

[letgomywago]

Where old AL alloy is involved on branch circuit wiring "run, Forrest, run" might also be a good idea

I use it for ranges and never had an issue.

 

[petersonra]

Where old AL alloy is involved on branch circuit wiring "run, Forrest, run" might also be a good idea

There was never anything wrong with the wire. It was a problem with the terminations. Do them right and there is no issue at all.

 

[Little Bill]

I use it for ranges and never had an issue.

He said "old Al alloy" not what we use today.

 

[petersonra]

He said "old Al alloy" not what we use today.

there was nothing really wrong with the "old" alloy. That is mostly an old wives tale. small gauge aluminum wiring got an undeserved bad rap because it was incompatible with the terminations in use at the time. even if you used more modern aluminum alloys it would still be incompatible with those terminations.