pigtailing aluminum wiring

[asharp1076]

I just completed a job in SW Houston of pigtailing aluminum wiring. I pigtailed the 2 aluminum wires together with a 6 inch copper by screwing them into Buchanan Bcap B2-1 wire nuts. Is this up to NEC code?

Thanks!

Aaron Sharp

[ July 25, 2003, 03:23 PM: Message edited by: asharp1076 ]

 

[iwire]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

Nope, I do not believe B2-1s are listed for aluminum conductors.

 

[asharp1076]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

Damn...that is what I was afraid of. To fix it, can I just replace the wire nut with one that is approved for copper & aluminum?

Thanks!

Aaron

 

[iwire]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

The only wirenut I know that is listed for Al/Cu conductors is an Ideal model 65 purple twister.

But I believe the some agency's consider this a temporary fix.

Good luck, Bob

 

[asharp1076]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

Thanks for the help, I will check those out!

Aaron Sharp

 

[brian john]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

Ask your supplier regarding this fix one of the compression tool companies make a tool and pigtails for just this type of repair.

 

[asharp1076]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

Excellent....I will check that out too!

Aaron Sharp

 

[eaglehd]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

I believe the right AL/CU pigtail connector is an AMP compression type crimp connector.

http://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum.htm

http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/pubs/516.pdf

Rob

 

[pierre]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

I have read the reports from those websites and believe them to be 'a little biased' and out dated. I have been in contact with UL and they say they have not one report of a Twister model 65 wirenut failing in the field.
Read the reports closely, such as the actual type of wirenut they show in the pictures.
The Amp system is a very good system, but also has it's drawbacks. I have myself experienced the Amp system and the Twister model 65 wirenuts, and I would recommend either method. As long as the installation is performed correctly with either you will have good results.
If you decide to use the model 65 wirenuts, read all the directions, such as you can not use them on aluminum to aluminum connections.
Good Luck, and I applaud you for correcting your mistake. "YOU DON'T JUDGE A MAN BY THE MISTAKES HE MAKES, BUT HOW HE CHOOSES TO FIX THEM!"

Pierre

 

[jxofaltrds]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring


2 al with 1 copper is allowed. Anyone explain why a two al connection is not allowed?

If I read the instructions correctly you might not be able to use these connectors in panels located in basement. They state dry locations only. I know a basement is normally a dry location. However look at 100 def of damp location.

Mike P

 

[roc]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

Pierre ... I believe that either the Ideal #65 wirenuts or the AMP "COPALUM" crimp connectors can be used for newer AL wire, but I would be very careful about using the Ideal wirenuts on very old AL wire.

For "old technology" AL wire (1960's - 1970's) CPSC #516 only recommends using the COPALUM crimp connectors for a permanent repair. You dont want to be out on a thin limb if there is a problem.

Rob

 

[Guest]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

One problem with AL is nicking the wire. A little nick-- and then the nicking action of the Cu/AL wire connector and the connection breaks. This is more likely to happen in the "older" AL. Been there. Done that. I have not visited this issue for a while. The wire connectors of a while back required some No-Alox type compound too. I would imagine that the new connectors come with their own juice-- or do you still use No-Alox type product?

I vote for the crimping method-- at least for older AL.

[ September 23, 2003, 07:06 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]

 

[pierre]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

I have recently finished a project where we had to make 108,566 splices for copper to aluminum. The insurance company and others were very involved in the process. For all the different applications of the different types of splices and the different locations these splices were made, was insane. BTW- a few more large building complexes that were also wired in Al were watching what we did. There were only TWO licensed electrical contractors in a 200 mile radius of our location who were certified (or whatever Amp calls it) to perform this type of installation with their equipment and their material. They declined the job, they did not have enough men certified to do the work.
The insurance company settled on the Ideal model 65 Twister wirenut for a few reasons.
1. No reported failures by UL
2. If repair work had to be performed after the job was finished, who could perform it?
3. THE KICKER - The relative cost was considerably lower with the wirenut. Each wirenut is about $1.50 multiply that by 108,566 = about $163,000 COST, not bad for wirenuts.
BTW- one of the other complexes is going to need 6 times the number of wirenuts WOW!!!

Pierre

 

[jimb]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

Speaking of the COPALUM connection method from AMP, I just read an article in the NEC Digest where the author stated that "according to his sources" there were only 20 or 30 electricians in the US that are qualified to use the equipment.

In reading that, I was wondering if he actually meant that there are only 20 or 30 of the "tools" in circulation rather than only 20 or 30 individuals trained in their use. OR perhaps his numbers are all wrong. I myself have never seen one of the things. Have any of you had any experience with them?

Jim

 

[Guest]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

What you do is find a wholesaler that handles Amp. They sign you up for training. It's not a big training. You get a binder. When I checked up on this you could not buy the tools. You rent them from Amp. You buy the connectors. You have to buy a pretty large lot of connectors. When you add up the rent and the inventory and the training it's not something to undertake unless you have some projects lined up.

It's not a big deal, but you have to jump through a few small hoops and pony up some cash. There may have been a training fee too.

What are the AHJ rules regarding retrofitting? Are there any areas where it's mandatory, or only if you touch a circuit?

I think all the Eichler tracts are aluminum. I know of a few tracts that are. There may be a list too. It could be a niche market if you knew where are the AL circuits were hiding. AL was popular in the early 70's and quickly died off-- except for feeders.

In my area Independent Electric Supply was the Amp wholesaler. I almost got Amp certified but got onto other prospects. There may be some ignorance in the industry about how much AL is out there unless you do a lot of service work.

[Edited to include]:

AL wiring was used from 1965 to 1973 and used in millions of homes.

Here's a kicker: The Amp COPALUM system will be phased out in 2005. That means there is only a short time that this repair method will be availbable to remaining AL homes. The Consumer Product Safety Commssion says that Amp is the only way to go:
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml03/03120.html

../Wayne C.

[ September 23, 2003, 10:11 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]

 

[monkey]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

I have read those reports on the AL websites and the ny inspect website. I studied them carefully as this subject is of great interest to me. I went to the supply house and bought a box of the 3M Scotchlock wirenuts and a bottle of Penetrox-A. I also bought some purple #65's. In my shop I tried to burn the Purple 65's, the 3M Scotchlocks, some ordinary wirenuts, Penetrox-A and some Ideal Noalox. What I found was that the 3M wirenuts filled with Penetrox-A would not ignite. The Ideal wirenuts, including the 65's, burned easily by themselves and when they were filled with Noalox (The 65's are prefilled). The Buchanan B caps did not ignite. So it seems that the report was accurate on these observations.
It also seems to me that it would be far better to abrade the conductors under the oxide inhibitor and then tightly pretwist even while using the 65's, even though the instructions do not mention abrading and they also say pretwisting is not necessary.
The wirenut they recommend is the 3M Scotcklock as it is the only wirenut with a live spring and a shell around that spring.
I thought their method was superior to the Ideal 65 solution, but I am torn here. The 65 is UL approved for aluminum and the Scotchlock is not. So it seems that, even if the method and materials outlined on the website is a superior fix, the Ideal 65 would be the better way to CYA.
I would appreciate feedback from anyone who has studied the details on the method outlined on the website, specifcally the step by step procedures with the photos, including the test results. Click on the link that says "Fire Hazards with Aluminum to Copper Twist on Connectors and Acceptable Repair Practices" then follow the links to the step by steps. Aluminum Wiring
Thanks, Brian

 

[Guest]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

A fellow electrician swore by the ScotchLoc and No-Alox system. He said it was superior for all the reasons you stated.

I liked the Amp system and that's the way I was heading. I like testing & approvals & all that.

Maybe it's better to just start over with NM-B?

If you switch to AL rated devices can you just use the device as an AL wire connector?

What about using AL set-screw couplers? How durable is that?

[ September 24, 2003, 12:33 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]

 

[ryan_618]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

Originally posted by awwt:
A fellow electrician swore by the ScotchLoc and No-Alox system.

How did this fellow feel about article 110.14?


110-14. Electrical Connections
Because of different characteristics of dissimilar metals, devices such as pressure terminal or pressure splicing connectors and soldering lugs shall be identified for the material of the conductor and shall be properly installed and used. Conductors of dissimilar metals shall not be intermixed in a terminal or splicing connector where physical contact occurs between dissimilar conductors (such as copper and aluminum, copper and copper-clad aluminum, or aluminum and copper-clad aluminum), unless the device is identified for the purpose and conditions of use. Materials such as solder, fluxes, inhibitors, and compounds, where employed, shall be suitable for the use and shall be of a type that will not adversely affect the conductors, installation, or equipment.

[ September 23, 2003, 11:50 PM: Message edited by: ryan_618 ]

 

[Guest]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

I already stated how he felt. He did testing and was more into field & lab results than code books. That being said, again, I went my way and he went his as I choose to use listed methods.

../Wayne C.

[ September 24, 2003, 12:35 PM: Message edited by: awwt ]

 

[pierre]

Re: pigtailing aluminum wiring

What one needs to do is look at the date of the test performed by CPSC as you do that look at the date the wirenut was listed. Look who performed the test. Take a close look at the method of testing.
Some things are not what they look like!!!

Then call Ideal for the info they have, and call UL about it, they will provide you with plenty of information.

Add it all together and you will be able to come to a conclusion for yourself.

Pierre