Old BX aluminum bonding wire

[bucks83c]

I am replacing the electrical outlets at my son's condo. The building was built in 1837 and has had numerous electical upgrades. While replacing the first outlet (of two), I came across an older BX cable which had been installed under a tongue/groove floor; against a brick wall. I am unable to determine where the feed or last junction is coming from. The older BX has hot and neutral wires; but does not have a ground wire. Instead it has an aluminum "bonding" wire. I've been told the exterior sheathing of the BX acts as the ground. The electrician who worked on the system last, took the aluminum wire and pig-tailed it to the grounding screw of the outlet. He then ran an older BX cable between this outlet and outlet #2, but never connected it to anything is box #1 or box #2...other than touching each of the boxes. The second box indicates no ground; even though the BX cable is attached to the box. The first box shows it being grounded.

I have 2 questions....

#1... Is it safe and/or legal to pigtail the aluminum bonding wire to the ground screw of the outlet? I have been told you should never "marry" a copper wire and aluminum wire together. (that the aluminum will break down over time due to the heat). Since the grounding screw isn't copper; is this a safe connection? Will it be safe in a couple of years?

#2... Can a 3 port connector be used in this situation? If I plugged the aluminum wire into the center port and ran copper wires from the outside ports; would there be a problem? Again, is this legal, and will it be a problem later?

Thanks in advance any assistance and advice.

 

[tom baker]

Since you list your occupation retired, we are unable to help as you are not in the electrical field. Find an electrician (not the one you mentioned) to assist. There are code allowed methods for what you want to do.