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Aluminum Wiring Hazards

Living in an older house can be great. Older homes have built-in character and timeless architecture, but they also carry safety risks. One of them is aluminum electrical wiring. This type of wiring exists in most houses built before the 1970s. The reason aluminum wiring can be dangerous is the fire risk it presents. Here is everything you need to know about it.

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Aluminum Wiring Hazards

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  1. HERE’S WHAT TO DO ABOUT IT Aluminum Wiring Hazards WHY YOU SHOULD INVEST IN REWIRING YOUR HOME

  2. GETTING TO KNOW ALUMINUM WIRING Homes built before 1972, and wired with aluminum are 55 times more likely to have one or more wire connections at outlets reach ‘Fire Hazard Conditions’ than homes wired with copper. Getting to Know

  3. What is Aluminum Wiring? A SAFE AND INEXPENSIVE ALTERNATIVE TO COPPER For a while, approximately between 1965 and 1974, copper was so expensive that everyone was looking for a way to cut costs when wiring a home- aluminum wiring was the answer. However, it didn’t take long to discover that aluminum wiring tended to become defective much more rapidly than copper. Aluminum Wiring

  4. How does aluminum wiring work? ALUMINUM WIRING HAS A PROBLEM When electricity passes through electrical cables and connectors, the wires expand and heat up. Aluminum wiring has a higher rate of thermal expansion. When the electricity is turned off, the wires and connections cool down and contract. All the expanding and contracting will eventually open up a gap, exposing the wire to air. The resulting oxidization causes the connection point to get even hotter. Over time, the connection can become loose, creating a fire hazard. Aluminum wiring has a problem

  5. Are homes with aluminum wiring safe? While a continuous run of AL Wire does not necessarily present a problem, when that wire is connected to outlets and light switches  — and even to other wires in junction boxes — the connection can deteriorate and develop into a fire hazard Are homes safe?

  6. Hazards with aluminum wiring THE DANGER OF ALUMINUM WIRING COMES FROM THE DEGRADATION OF CONNECTIONS. Aluminum wire might become dangerous because of various issues that make it inferior to copper, all contribute to it wearing down. This is a considerable cause for concern because having been built in the 60’s and 70’s homes with aluminum wiring are already quite old and may be at risk. Hazards with aluminum wiring

  7. Higher electrical resistance Aluminum has a high resistance to electrical current flow. So, aluminum conductors need to have a larger diameter than copper conductors. Aluminum possesses certain qualities that, when compared with copper, make it an unfavorable material as an electrical conductor. Some of these qualities are: Less ductile Aluminum will wear and break down more readily when subjected to bending and other forms of abuse. Wear, over time, causes the wire to break down internally and will progressively resist electrical current, causing a build-up of excessive heat. Galvanic corrosion Aluminum in homes will experience galvanic corrosion when it makes contact with certain dissimilar metals in presence of moisture. Some of these qualities are

  8. Qualities of Aluminum Wiring Oxidation Greater thermal expansion and contraction Aluminum wire oxidizes to form aluminum oxide. Over time, oxidation can deteriorate connections and present an increased fire hazard. Aluminum expands and contracts with changes in temperature. As time passes, this will cause connections to degrade. Greater malleability Excessive vibration Aluminum is soft and malleable, so it is extremely sensitive to compression. This can create loose connections and increase electrical resistance in that spot. Electrical current causes vibrations when passing through wiring. The vibrating, over time, can cause connections to loosen. Qualities of Aluminum Wiring

  9. How to Identify Aluminum Wiring Trace the Building's History Knowing what year a building was constructed will give you a good idea. Inspecting the Wiring Carefully Unusually warm outlets or faceplates (note that some receptacles actually have “AL” with a line through it, indicating they are not to be used with aluminum wiring.) Recognizing Aluminum Wiring Problems Strange odors, or even worse, smoke or sparks around receptacles or switches. Occasional flickering of lights. Unexplained static on TV or radio. Identifying Aluminum Wiring

  10. ALUMINUM WIRING CAN BE HAZARDOUS What can you do about it? Ways to make sure your retro home is safe are: What can you do about it?

  11. How to make wiring safer? To reduce the potential risk of fire and the possibility of dangerous overheating... Ask a knowledgeable electrician or other qualified individual to determine if your home has aluminum wiring. If aluminum wiring was used, have the electrician or individual check the connections on heavily loaded and constantly loaded circuits to determine if the electrical connections have been made properly or show evidence of deterioration. How to make wiring safer?

  12. Aluminum Wiring Rejuvenation Replacing all the receptacles and switches in the home If it is necessary to replace wall switches and receptacle outlets, only devices which are designed specifically for use with aluminum wiring should be used. These devices are labeled CO/ALR on the mounting strap. Proper installation of the CO/ALR device is critical. The work should be performed only by a qualified electrician or individual familiar with the techniques of using aluminum wiring. Aluminum Wiring Rejuvenation

  13. Rewiring Rewiring would be the best long term solution A technique called pigtailing is sometimes used to improve aluminum wiring connections. Pigtailing involves connecting a short piece of insulated copper wire between the aluminum wire and the switch or receptacle connecting terminals. Although this technique may be an acceptable practice for new installations, the addition of more wires and splices into existing outlet boxes is not generally recommended. Rewiring

  14. REWIRING Why You Should Invest In Rewiring Your Home For older homes in Toronto have the original wiring they were built with, rewiring the house can deliver a comfortable, energy- efficient, and safer place, in addition to improved functionality and convenience. Here are some reasons to rewire your house:

  15. For safety To ensure the safety of your loved ones, your valuables, and your investment, get rid of any electrical issues Why You Should Invest In Rewiring Your Home Electric wiring has a 2 decade lifespan If you’ve never rewired your home or can’t remember when you last did it, then you should schedule an electrical inspection as soon as possible. For a home renovation or extension Whether you’re converting your loft or extending your home, it’s vital to hire professional electricians to ensure that all new wirings adhere to the code for Electrical Safety. Prevent emergency electrical repairs Faulty wiring is the most common cause of electrical power failure, leading to power overload or loss of power. Reduce energy costs and appliance replacement Updated wiring can improve energy efficiency and allow you to save on your bills while helping to conserve the environment. Rewiring Your Home

  16. Last but not the least... Prioritize Safety at all Times Before you start examining the wiring in your home for any indicators that it needs to be redone, you should prioritize your safety. This means that you should consider hiring professional electricians to inspect and rewire your house in Toronto as soon as you notice the warning signs of faulty wiring or problems with your electrical systems. Last but not the least...

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