Aluminum Wiring! This sucks.

Leenders

So the condo we purchased is older. Has aluminum wiring which totally sucks, I've heard so many stories of bad experiences with it.

I want to change all the switches and outlets to newer updated ones.

Is there anything I should know about aluminum wiring?
Anything I should look for when taking out the outlets and lights?


Thanks.
Leenders

IvoryRing

Leenders... just to check something... do you mean all the circuits are aluminum, or do you mean that you've looked in the panel and saw 'some aluminum'?

Service cables are often aluminum. I'm re-wiring my 1950 house (was run with romex with no ground), and I ran brand spanky new aluminum to my new panel, and may also run aluminum for my one 'big circuit' - range (haven't decided yet, thinking about doing a 60A capable circuit for the future, might run it in conduit) even though I am running copper for everything else.

My understanding is that aluminum is not a problem when using A.) terminations that are rated for it, B.) larger cables (i.e. not for 15A & 20A circuits) and C.) anti-oxidant paste.

MAS2006

Make sure to use screw terminals and not quick connects on switches and outlets. Check for insulation discoloring, indicates connection that was heated. (bad thing)

redline

Changing the switches and outlets will not make any improvement on the wiring inside the walls.

jbfan

The wiring inside the walls is not where the problem is with AL. wire.
The problems happen to the connection points. If you do change out the switches and outlets, MAKE SURE THEY ARE RATED FOR AL. WIRE!!!
Here are some sites to look at.
http://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum/aluminum.htm
http://tooling.tycoelectronics.com/wiring_dangers.stm

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