[ Home  |  FAQ-Related Q&As  |  General Q&As  |  Answered Questions ]


    Search the Q&A Archives


Is aluminum wiring in a house a major concern?

<< Back to: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)

Question by Al
Submitted on 1/10/2004
Related FAQ: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)
Rating: Rate this question: Vote
Is aluminum wiring in a house a major concern?


Answer by Lincoln
Submitted on 1/12/2004
Rating:  Rate this answer: Vote
Not just because it is aluminum. If the circuits are not overloaded. Never install a circuit breaker or fuse that is incorrectly sized. Any wires can become unsafe if the circuit protection isn't sized correctly.

Aluminum wiring had a problem with people "up grading fuses". More correctly they were creating an unsafe condition.

If you have great concern then have an inspection performed by an electrician.

 

Answer by jj
Submitted on 1/14/2004
Rating:  Rate this answer: Vote
Aluminum wiring may not pass your local wiring codes.  The problem of thermal expansion and contraction tends to loosen connections at screw terminals.  This creates high resistance connections which can over-heat and/or cause sparking.  Both are serious fire hazards.  Check with a qualified electrical contractor or building inspector.

 

Answer by Bob
Submitted on 12/12/2004
Rating: Not yet rated Rate this answer: Vote
See NBSIR 83-2803 at NIST. This study done for CPSC showed that all elec problems leading to fires were caused by well known bad practices --not ever the material of wire. I cannot find any reliable source for all the theories about"creep" and current "fixes" including anti-oxidant pastes, etc. Proper electrical maintenance will be as safe with alum. as with copper. Bad practices will start fires with gold wiring.

 

Your answer will be published for anyone to see and rate.  Your answer will not be displayed immediately.  If you'd like to get expert points and benefit from positive ratings, please create a new account or login into an existing account below.


Your name or nickname:
If you'd like to create a new account or access your existing account, put in your password here:
Your answer:

FAQS.ORG reserves the right to edit your answer as to improve its clarity.  By submitting your answer you authorize FAQS.ORG to publish your answer on the WWW without any restrictions. You agree to hold harmless and indemnify FAQS.ORG against any claims, costs, or damages resulting from publishing your answer.

 

FAQS.ORG makes no guarantees as to the accuracy of the posts. Each post is the personal opinion of the poster. These posts are not intended to substitute for medical, tax, legal, investment, accounting, or other professional advice. FAQS.ORG does not endorse any opinion or any product or service mentioned mentioned in these posts.

 

<< Back to: Electrical Wiring FAQ (Part 1 of 2)


[ Home  |  FAQ-Related Q&As  |  General Q&As  |  Answered Questions ]

© 2008 FAQS.ORG. All rights reserved.