 Is YOUR Aluminum Electrical Wiring Safe?
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Is un-repaired aluminum electrical wiring in a home ever "safe"? In response to inquiry by owners or buyers of homes served by aluminum
electrical wiring, we receive occasional reports that some
building inspectors, electricians, building code officials, industry
representatives, express the view that "Aluminum wiring in your house not likely
to be a real problem," or words to that effect.
Watch out: The condition and safety of aluminum electrical wiring and devices in specific
individual homes cannot be reliably assured by someone who has not examined
it! General "opinions" that an un-studied installation of aluminum electricial wiring is "safe" are thus nonsense.
Green links show where you are. © Copyright 2013 InspectAPedia.com, All Rights Reserved. Author Daniel Friedman.
Letter Response to Claims that Original Un-Repaired Aluminum Electrical Wiring Is Unlikely to Be a Problem
The condition of aluminum electrical wiring connections varies over an very
wide range from building to building and among individual circuits and devices
within specific buildings. It is possible for very unsafe conditions to be
present, but not visible.
It is inaccurate and dangerous for anyone to make any representation about
the condition of aluminum wiring in a specific property "over the telephone," and
without on-site specific inspection and testing by a qualified expert who is
familiar with aluminum wiring issues.
In explanation, we've attached the text portion a 2/3/94 letter from an expert
on aluminum wiring, addressing this problem. The author, Dr. J. Aronstein, can
be contacted at protune@aol.com, or contact
me, Daniel Friedman. Extensive information about identifying and repairing aluminum wiring safety hazards is at ALUMINUM WIRING HAZARDS & REPAIRS.
February 3, 1994
(original addressee info)
(deleted by DJF)
Subject: Aluminum wiring (deleted)
Dear Mr. (deleted)
You requested my comments on the safety of the aluminum wiring at (deleted)
and my review of the written materials provided. The question to be answered
is this - are the connections to the aluminum wire at (deleted) safe? Without
determining what types of connections are in the system and how they were
made, nobody can answer the question.
Are the receptacles back-wired or screw-terminal wired? If screw-terminal
wired, how is the wire placed under the screw (straight in or wrapped around)?
Are the screws steel or brass? Are the screws plated with zinc on the neutral
side? What kind of splicing connectors exist in the system? If twist-on
connectors ("wire nuts"), are they the live spring or restrained spring type?
Did the installer abrade the aluminum wire before connecting to remove the
oxide? Were the spliced wires pre-twisted together? Was a corrosion inhibitor
used on all connections? Given the answers to these questions (from direct
observations), an evaluation of the relative safety of the wiring system at
(deleted) can be made.
The information that they were provided with misleads as often as it informs.
What the committee was given, for the most part, was organizational positions
rather than useful information. For instance, references to aluminum cable
being used in the Boeing 747 at the World Trade Center and in overhead power
distribution are not relevant, since the connections systems used are quite
different from those installed at (deleted). What the NEC, the UL standards,
local codes, and the wiring practices were at the time of installation and how
they have changed makes for interesting discussion but sheds no light on
whether or not there are serious electrical safety defects at (deleted), and,
if there are, how they should be corrected.
I am concerned that a proper assessment of the state of the wiring system at
(deleted) has not yet been made. The question electrical fire safety cannot
yet be answered with any degree of certainty.
Yours truly,
J. Aronstein, Ph.D., P.E.
JA/lsr
######
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Technical Reviewers & References
Related Topics, found near the top of this page suggest articles closely related to this one.
- The Aluminum Wiring Bibliography: extensive resources on Aluminum Wiring
- Aluminum Wire Failure Reports & Photos: Real life aluminum wiring field failure reports
- Reducing the Fire Hazards in Aluminum-Wired Homes, Jess Aronstein, Ph.D., This document answers most technical questions about the hazards and remedies of aluminum electrical wiring. Some of the sections of this very thorough document are listed below:
- Fire Hazards With Aluminum to Copper Twist-on Connectors & Acceptable Aluminum Wiring Repair Practices Color Photos, Current Issues. 9/28/95 CPSC Meeting Minutes
- "Is YOUR Aluminum Wiring Safe?" article discussing safety claims made by some people without looking at the wiring, J. Aronstein, 11/21/95
- "Repairing Aluminum Wiring," U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Publication CPSC#516 available online
- * Safety Hazards and Safe Inspection Procedures for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
- Electrical Panels, How to Inspect in buildings, safety for electrical inspectors, electrical panel, fusing, wiring defects, defective products. Inspection Class Presentation
- Electrical System & Wiring Hazard Inspection, Detection, Cause, Remedy, Prevention - Main Electrical Page
- Electrical Books - Recommended books on electrical inspection, electrical wiring, electrical problem diagnosis, and electrical repair can be found in the Electrical Books section of the InspectAPedia Bookstore. (courtesy of Amazon.com)
Books & Articles on Building & Environmental Inspection, Testing, Diagnosis, & Repair
 The Home Reference Book - the Encyclopedia of Homes, Carson Dunlop & Associates, Toronto, Ontario, 25th Ed., 2012, is a bound volume of more than 450 illustrated pages that assist home inspectors and home owners in the inspection and detection of problems on buildings. The text is intended as a reference guide to help building owners operate and maintain their home effectively. Field inspection worksheets are included at the back of the volume. Special Offer: For a 10% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference Book purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space. InspectAPedia.com editor Daniel Friedman is a contributing author.
Or choose the The Home Reference eBook for PCs, Macs, Kindle, iPad, iPhone, or Android Smart Phones. Special Offer: For a 5% discount on any number of copies of the Home Reference eBook purchased as a single order. Enter INSPECTAEHRB in the order payment page "Promo/Redemption" space.
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