ALUMINUM WIRING
I recently read that aluminum wiring installed in the ’60s and 70’s presents a potential fire hazard. Electricity in my brownstone (previously an SRO) was “updated” in 1968, mainly additional outlets, etc. No idea if it’s aluminum wiring. . Since then my electrician’s run up additional cables for washer/dryers/ac, etc., but house has had no…
I recently read that aluminum wiring installed in the ’60s and 70’s presents a potential fire hazard. Electricity in my brownstone (previously an SRO) was “updated” in 1968, mainly additional outlets, etc. No idea if it’s aluminum wiring. . Since then my electrician’s run up additional cables for washer/dryers/ac, etc., but house has had no basic rewiring since 1968. Things work but some outlets get warm. My electrician’s okay for everyday stuff, but I need an expert I can trust to look system over, then give recommendations. Any suggestions?.
The aluminum isn’t dangerous in and of itself. The problem is that it expands and contracts differently than copper, so it needs to be used with fixtures specifically designed for use with aluminum wires. When they first started using it, alot of people ran aluminum wire with copper fixtures, and it heated up and shorted at the connections between the aluminum and the copper.
How to tell? Look at the wire. The difference is pretty obvious. Also, check the markings on the fixtures (outlets, switches, breakers, etc…)
Copper-only will be marked with CU somewhere on it; aluminum will have AL or CU/AL. If you do have aluminum wiring, you **ABSOLUTELY MUST** use fixtures designed for it.
There is nothing unusual about warm outlets, or breakers – it just means that you’re using a good amount of juice. Wires from the ’60s should have been rated for 140 degrees; the standard today is about 200.
The aluminum isn’t dangerous in and of itself. The problem is that it expands and contracts differently than copper, so it needs to be used with fixtures specifically designed for use with aluminum wires. When they first started using it, alot of people ran aluminum wire with copper fixtures, and it heated up and shorted at the connections between the aluminum and the copper.
How to tell? Look at the wire. The difference is pretty obvious. Also, check the markings on the fixtures (outlets, switches, breakers, etc…)
Copper-only will be marked with CU somewhere on it; aluminum will have AL or CU/AL. If you do have aluminum wiring, you **ABSOLUTELY MUST** use fixtures designed for it.
There is nothing unusual about warm outlets, or breakers – it just means that you’re using a good amount of juice. Wires from the ’60s should have been rated for 140 degrees; the standard today is about 200.