Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
It is interesting. I thought that was pretty much unused by then. How is the cable marked? This may be the new AA-8000 alloy. It will be a lot stiffer than the old Nixon era stuff.
Originally Posted By: Brian A. Goodman This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Just to be honest, any solid aluminum would “bother” me, new or old. What to write in the report…that’s trickier.
They claim the newer stuff is okay, but they said that about the old stuff for a good while too. As critical as the electrical system is and as much a house costs, why would anyone install aluminum instead of copper? I don't get it.
Oh well, at least it wasn't a FPE on top on that. GE, right Jeff?
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I agree Brian, I can’t imagine why anyone would have used aluminum in 1981. the price of copper was down by then and the dangers were hyped to the max by then. The reality seems to be that most of the aluminum problems may have been workmanship problems and if your house hasn’t burned down by now it is probably OK. I suspect some of the aluminum problems are homeowner inflicted wounds.
Originally Posted By: phinsperger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
Greg Fretwell wrote:
The reality seems to be that most of the aluminum problems may have been workmanship problems and if your house hasn't burned down by now it is probably OK.
I thought one of the concerns with aluminum wire is that as it heats up cools down over time it works itself loose. This is something that may not show up for many years depending on the use of the circuit.
Originally Posted By: dhadler This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I agree Paul, Around this part of the country, if aluminum wiring is found we recommend an electrician go through the system and pull all switches, receptacles and fixtures and check and tighten all connections . Junction boxes should also be opened up and check for anti-oxidant paste on copper to aluminum splices. (usually done by handi-homeowner cause they just don’t know about it)
This will normally satisfy the insurance co's and they should keep their receipt so when they go to sell they can prove it was done, and when.
I've heard from many electricians that the wiring wasn't so much the problem...but the way it was installed due to lack of knowledge in the beginning.
-- Darrell Hadler
Five Star Home Inspections
Medicine Hat, Alberta CANADA
Originally Posted By: Greg Fretwell This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I don’t like Aluminum but I also recognize that there is plenty of it out there that is working OK. This is just a personal opinion but I think the wire that was improperly installed, failed, early on. Properly installed wire, that was not disturbed, works. It is still a trap for the first person who screws with it but I know several people with aluminum wired houses who never had a burp. I do warn them to call someone at the first sign of a problem. (heating, crackling on the radio, noise spikes in the TV picture, dimming lights or any unusual smell or sound around outlets)
The ONLY way I would try to “fix” it is the Copalum system, done by a certified installer. Anything else may be worse than the original problem. A warning from the HI is certainly in order
Originally Posted By: phinsperger This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
I personally had a house for 7 years that was completly wired with alum. Never had a problem.
I agree that installation workmanship plays a big part. I also think that the use of the circuit also plays a big role.
As a greater load is placed on a circuit the wire warms up and the soft alum "squishes" itself a little bit between the screw and the terminal block. The greater the load the more the wire expands and "squishes". When the circuit is off the wire cools and shrinks leaving the wire microscopically smaller (between screw and terminal) than it was before. Repeatedly over time this causes the wire to become loose.
While several owners may have only had only a light and clock radio plugged into their bedroom outlet. Along comes the new owner who uses that room for an office with power bars for the computer, monitor, printer, fax, window a/c, etc. Suddenly the power draw on that circuit increases dramatically and the problem free life of that circuit is reduced.
Originally Posted By: roconnor This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.
jpope wrote:
So the fact that this home was built in 1981 shouldn't bother me?
The real hazard is the "old technology" AL wire of the 1960's to 1970's. But I understand there were even some issues with the post 1970's AL wire like AA-13000 that were apparently "resolved" with the newer (a few code cycles ago) AA-8000 AL wire.
I am with Greg that AL wire just rubs me the wrong way (maybe cause it's also just not used for branch circuits any more in my area due to the problems), and for "old technology" AL wire the COPALUM connectors is really the only permanent repair. Check this topic for a pretty good discussion too ... CLICK HERE
Just my opinion and 2-nickels ... 
-- Robert O'Connor, PE
Eagle Engineering ?
Eagle Eye Inspections ?
NACHI Education Committee
I am absolutely amazed sometimes by how much thought goes into doing things wrong
