# Aluminum wire fire **URL:** \ **Category:** Electrical Inspections\ **Created:** [January 23, 2008, 8:57pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207 "2008-01-23T20:57:00Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 16\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![dandersen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dandersen/32/59398_2.png) [@dandersen](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dandersen)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2008, 12:00pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/21 "2008-06-20T12:00:41Z")
> [@pbennett1](#): > > **So you removed a receptacle with a LIVE CIRCUIT. NOT SAFE and NOT SMART.** > > NJ SOP says we do not have to do anything that’s unsafe. This is exaclty why I don’t remove receptacles from the walls, as it can cause a fire. That’s why I make $500 /1100 ft2 house. Do you charge less? If not, I may need to raise my prices! 😉 ---
**Author:** ![dvalley](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dvalley/32/206092_2.png) [@dvalley](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dvalley)\ **Post date:** [June 20, 2008, 12:11pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/22 "2008-06-20T12:11:41Z")
I’d love to get a clear close-up picture showing the aluminum wire with the charred area. ---
**Author:** ![pbennett1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/pbennett1/32/59556_2.png) [@pbennett1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/pbennett1)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2008, 12:56am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/23 "2008-06-21T00:56:36Z")
> [@dandersen](#): > > That’s why I make $500 /1100 ft2 house. > Do you charge less? If not, I may need to raise my prices! 😉 You missing the point !!! ---
**Author:** ![dandersen](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/dandersen/32/59398_2.png) [@dandersen](https://forum.nachi.org/u/dandersen)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2008, 7:30pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/24 "2008-06-21T19:30:22Z")
What is your point? Mine is that I do more/charge more and provide more testing on those unsafe issues. I elect to do the electricians unsafe job to determine if there is really an issue in there to warrant the electricians expense. I refuse to defer anything to another contractor that I don’t know actually exists. You can make it safe, shut off the power! Who said he pulled a live outlet anyway? I don’t hide behind the State Law or SOP if I can make it safe and finish my job. I have worked at power plants, a little 120vac does not concern me except when it is a bare wire in the attic/ CS. You do what you feel safe doing. But there may come a point when you client will want to know what your there for. ---
**Author:** ![pbennett1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/pbennett1/32/59556_2.png) [@pbennett1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/pbennett1)\ **Post date:** [June 21, 2008, 10:04pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/25 "2008-06-21T22:04:02Z")
To David Andersen: My point was " **So you removed a receptacle with a LIVE CIRCUIT. NOT SAFE and NOT SMART."** * * * ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Fretwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f1d935/32.png) [@Greg\_Fretwell](https://forum.nachi.org/u/Greg_Fretwell)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 5:13am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/26 "2008-06-26T05:13:48Z")
I won’t pull an aluminum wired device unless there is a very good need to do it, beyond just getting a look inside. There is way too much chance of breaking a wire and causing a problem that didn’t exist before. That old 1350 alloy only has about 5 or 6 bends in it before it breaks. Mr sparky probably used up 2 or 3 in the rough and trim. ---
**Author:** ![mnahrgang](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mnahrgang/32/2365_2.png) [@mnahrgang](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mnahrgang)\ **Post date:** [June 26, 2008, 1:26pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/27 "2008-06-26T13:26:22Z")
Barry, In the paper that you posted, I love the first sentence of the into… “A fundamental principle of electrical safety for wiring in buildings is that high temperatures are hazardous.” Ya’ Think? :mrgreen:😉 All in all, this makes you think a little bit about what we do. It would be pretty easy for any of us to run into. Testing an outlet, only to have his short out. ---
**Author:** ![mashburn](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/mashburn/32/2008_2.png) [@mashburn](https://forum.nachi.org/u/mashburn)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 11:12am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/28 "2008-06-27T11:12:40Z")
I just ran into another aluminum wired house yesterday built in 1982. Thanks for the attachment! It also has a ITE push-o-matic panel. I have never seen one installed in th 1980’s. Was this common in other parts of the country in the early 1980’s to use aluminum and ITE’s, were they really cheap to obtain then? ---
**Author:** ![Greg\_Fretwell](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/f1d935/32.png) [@Greg\_Fretwell](https://forum.nachi.org/u/Greg_Fretwell)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 4:49pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/29 "2008-06-27T16:49:25Z")
I didn’t even know you could get aluminum 12 & 10 wire in the 80s. What was on the jacket? Any indication of the alloy? It should have been the AA8000 type after 1978(?) but I have never actually seen any. ---
**Author:** ![rmaday](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rmaday/32/581_2.png) [@rmaday](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rmaday)\ **Post date:** [June 27, 2008, 5:32pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/30 "2008-06-27T17:32:32Z")
> [@dandersen](#): > > What is your point? > > Mine is that I do more/charge more and provide more testing on those unsafe issues. I elect to do the electricians unsafe job to determine if there is really an issue in there to warrant the electricians expense. > > I refuse to defer anything to another contractor that I don’t know actually exists. You can make it safe, shut off the power! Who said he pulled a live outlet anyway? > > I don’t hide behind the State Law or SOP if I can make it safe and finish my job. I have worked at power plants, a little 120vac does not concern me except when it is a bare wire in the attic/ CS. You do what you feel safe doing. But there may come a point when you client will want to know what your there for. Are electricians licensed in TN? 120 VAC does not concern me either. 15-20A does concern me. :shock: 😉 ---
**Author:** ![rwashington](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/rwashington/32/57038_2.png) [@rwashington](https://forum.nachi.org/u/rwashington)\ **Post date:** [July 2, 2008, 1:23pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/31 "2008-07-02T13:23:44Z")
More proof a fire extinguisher should be a part of every ones tool collection. Back in inspection school they took us all out to this late 70’s, early 80’s dump and the fpe panel caught on fire and fire dept was called. What a learning experience eh? Since one of my classmates was a fireman he had one in his back seat so it saved the home. Ever since that experience I’ve kept one in my truck. Thanks for the attachment . ---
**Author:** ![badair](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/badair/32/166699_2.png) [@badair](https://forum.nachi.org/u/badair)\ **Post date:** [July 4, 2008, 12:28pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/32 "2008-07-04T12:28:23Z")
[![](http://nachi.cachefly.net/forum/images/2006/reputation/reputation_balance.gif) ](http://nachi.cachefly.net/forum/images/2006/reputation/reputation_balance.gif) [Aluminum wire fire](http://www.nachi.org/forum/showthread.php?p=301938#post301938) 7/3/08 3:54 PM right back at you asshole! My fan club adores me 😉 Have a Safe and Happy Independence Day! ---
**Author:** ![pabrioux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@pabrioux](https://forum.nachi.org/u/pabrioux)\ **Post date:** [January 27, 2009, 11:01pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/33 "2009-01-27T23:01:36Z")
> [@badair](#): > > Just got this Email from a fellow inspector posted here with his permission > See updated PDF > > [FONT=Arial]Hey Guys,[/FONT] > > [FONT=Arial]Conducted an inspection yesterday on a 1960’s house in [/FONT][FONT=Arial]Dallas[/FONT][FONT=Arial]. Bank owned. Aluminum wiring. The whole nine yards. Anyway, thought I was going to have to call the fire department. During my sampling of outlets to check wire connections, had an outlet and wires arc and start a small fire in the box. See pictures attached. Anyway, what I’ve read about “pig tailing” as unreliable was demonstrated yesterday. Obviously turned power off to property and alerted selling agent immediately. Also,[/FONT] > > [FONT=Arial]I’ve also attached a document with some updated information about aluminum wiring I thought you might be interested in. That’s it, stay safe![/FONT] > > [FONT=Arial]Regards,[/FONT] > > [FONT=Arial]Brian Bassett, TREC #6581[/FONT] > [FONT=Arial]Wall-2-Wall Home Inspections[/FONT] > [FONT=Arial]817.721.4778 (cell)[/FONT] > [FONT=Arial]brianbassett@tx.rr.com[/FONT] > [FONT=Arial][www.wall2wallhomeinspections.com](http://www.wall2wallhomeinspections.com)[/FONT] I realize that this is a bit of an old thread, but though that the thread title fit well with this [website](http://www.gauthierelectric.com/aluminum_wiring.html) I found while surfing around the Internet (had an aluminum wired house for inspection on the weekend). For the record, I did recommend further investigation after removing a sample number of receptacle and switch cover plates. There are a couple big statements on that page if you read the whole thing. Paul-Marc ---
**Author:** ![tdietrich1](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/tdietrich1/32/1561_2.png) [@tdietrich1](https://forum.nachi.org/u/tdietrich1)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2009, 7:11pm UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/34 "2009-01-31T19:11:25Z")
He opened energized outlets? If I owned the home, any ‘fires’ caused I would hold him 100% liable. Point is becareful, if it was broken but unburned before your arrival, and it’s burns after you get there, guess who is getting the blame. 😉 tom ---
**Author:** ![pabrioux](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a5b964/32.png) [@pabrioux](https://forum.nachi.org/u/pabrioux)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 2:12am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/35 "2009-02-01T02:12:03Z")
> [@tdietrich1](#): > > He opened energized outlets? If I owned the home, any ‘fires’ caused I would hold him 100% liable. > > Point is becareful, if it was broken but unburned before your arrival, and it’s burns after you get there, guess who is getting the blame. 😉 > > tom Hi Tom, Not sure if your comment was meant to me or for the original thread/story. In any event, if I see aluminum wiring all I do is remove a sample number of switch/receptacle cover plates to see if they are meant for aluminum wiring or not (I may be wrong but I’ve always thought that that is what we were supposed to do when we see aluminum-remove a few cover plates to visually examine for proper CO/AL hardware). I don’t pull anything out as indeed, that could start trouble. Thanks, Paul-Marc ---
**Author:** ![cevans](https://sea2.discourse-cdn.com/internachi/user_avatar/forum.nachi.org/cevans/32/244194_2.png) [@cevans](https://forum.nachi.org/u/cevans)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2009, 4:20am UTC](https://forum.nachi.org/t/aluminum-wire-fire/24207/36 "2009-02-01T04:20:59Z")
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