Just did a 4 point on home built in 1978. Aluminum wiring for two 40 amp and one 50 amp breaker. No labels on breaker panel. Guessing could be stove and HW tank. I think insurance company would knock this down for approval. Is aluminum wiring acceptable when it is a heavier gage? Any help would be great.
Thanks,
Steve
Steven,
I don’t know which ones they are but there are a few other blogs in here that address that issue, maybe someone knows which ones they are or you could search for them.
Stranded Alum wire is ok ! Good Luck
Thanks Fred!
Just a thought - Citizen’s has stated that Aluminum Wiring is not acceptable for coverage…Citizen’s requires 4-points for houses 50 yrs and older…Single strand aluminum wiring was used from the late 60’s to mid 70’s…How will they know???
Hi Steve,
The branch circuits are the aluminum wiring that is a concern with a 4 point. The aluminum wiring that is used on a 30 amp or higher breaker is acceptable unless it is single strand and then it would be sized to small for that size breaker.
Four points are required on most homes over 30 years old.
It varies from insurance company to insurance company. Speak with an independent agent that writes for multiple carriers and they should be able to tell you.
Doubtful.
I believe there is a post somewhere on here that specifically shows the Citizens’ position on aluminum wiring right out of their underwriters’ manual. Even in their world they recognize that stranded aluminum wiring is normal and acceptable (you will rarely find copper for those applications anyway) but it is the solid aluminum “branch or circuit” wiring that is their big concern. If I were not such a lazy slug I might go look for it but I overcame the urge to do so.
Just relaying what I have been told by a few insurance agents. She said that some but not all will write with aluminum wiring and the number that will write with it is becoming less and less every year.
Here it is: it can be found on a December 2010 blog called: 4 Point Inspection Electrical Portion submitted respectfully by NACHI member Mr. Frank LaBella Jr.
"Citizens manuals, etc…can be seen on their home page
click on “Agent Resources” then “Underwriting manuals”
(the Al wiring addendum is not posted though and was probably a bulletin) "
Having a firm understanding of practical electricity and home wiring precludes an inspector from having to accept rumors from insurance agents who have no training whatsoever in electrical theory & practice.
The reason that Citizens demands the electrical portion of a four point inspection report be filled out by a licensed electrician no doubt stems from the lack of practical electrical knowledge of shake-&-bake home inspectors, licensed or not.
Shake & Bake HI’s. ROTFLMAO if you have used that before I didn’t pick up on that’s better than conspector!
Yes, Shake-&-Bake, well… We aren’t talking advanced electrical theory or something a CMI would be expected to know, right?
The use of single-stranded #10 & #12 aluminum branch circuit wiring peaked in the 70’s. Understanding the difference between stranded aluminum feeders & sub-feeders #6 and larger which are still being installed in new homes today and aluminum branch circuit wiring which hasn’t been installed since the 70’s should be academic to any home inspector who has taken any basic electrical or home inspection course, don’t you think?
Besides, ain’t it printed on the back of your license? 
No mine says burnt out!
Mine has mirror on the back used for inspecting behind water heaters (or checking out your hairdo when the client is a hottie).
But Citizens specifically requests it at 50 years old (as noted in their manuals)