Wondering how to keep your family safe from the risks of aluminum wiring without tearing out your walls? We’ll explain practical solutions and widely accepted repair methods that protect your home without spending a fortune.
Why Aluminum Wiring is Bad?
If your home was built between the late 1960s and mid-1970s, it’s likely that aluminum wiring was used instead of copper. This was mainly due to a copper shortage during the Vietnam War.
Over time, a major issue developed: homes with aluminum wiring became more prone to fire. Research by the Franklin Research Institute for the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) found that homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to catch fire than those wired with copper. The aluminum itself isn’t the problem—it’s a good conductor and cheaper than copper. The issue comes from aluminum expanding and contracting faster than copper during use, which can create loose connections and gaps that may cause sparks and fires.
The problem is worsened because aluminum quickly oxidize when exposed to air, forming an oxide layer on the wire—similar to rust on iron.
If your home has aluminum wiring, you could face additional challenges beyond the fire risk. Many insurance companies may refuse coverage unless the wiring is updated to meet current electrical code standards.
This can lead to unexpected and unwanted financial burdens if you are trying to sell your home or get renovations approved by a building inspector. Additionally, if your insurance company determines that a fire in your home was caused by aluminum wiring connections, they may deny your claim for compensation.
How to Fix Aluminum Wiring Problems?
There are several ways to address this serious issue, but the first step is to determine whether your home has aluminum wiring. Hire a licensed residential electrician to inspect it for you.
Another method is splicing aluminum to copper using pig-tailing with standard crimpers and connectors. These tools can be found at hardware stores, but this method isn’t recommended. Some electricians suggest twisting the wires together with a wire nut and using anti-oxidant paste. However, tests by the CPSC and field experience show that many of these connectors can overheat. Be careful if an electrician recommends this method—it may not be as safe as it seems.
Copalum and AlumiConn Connectors Installation
When replacing aluminum wiring, it’s important to use connectors specifically approved for aluminum, like Copalum or AlumiConn, which are designed to meet current safety standards. The Copalum connector requires a special crimping tool and must be installed by a trained electrician. The AlumiConn connector also needs an experienced electrician to ensure it’s done safely and correctly. Once installed, these connectors make the wiring just as safe and reliable as completely replacing the aluminum with copper.
Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters Installation
One final step to help protect your home’s electrical system is installing Arc Fault Circuit Interrupters (AFCIs). While they may seem like extra precautions for aluminum wiring repairs, AFCIs provide important protection for your entire electrical system. They quickly shut off power if a fault is detected, greatly reducing the risk of fire. Today, AFCIs are required by code and are also used with copper wiring. Aluminum wiring isn’t inherently dangerous as long as it’s properly inspected and repaired by a qualified electrician.