Some houses, especially old ones, have aluminum electrical wiring. Unfortunately, aluminum is not a safe material for electrical wiring. Below is an overview of this problem and its solution.
The Drawbacks of Aluminum
Aluminum has a few characteristics that reduce its suitability for electrical wiring.
1. High Electrical Resistance
Aluminum has higher electrical resistance than copper. High electrical resistance wastes electricity, especially over long distances.
2. Low Ductility
A good electrical wire should bend without breaking. After all, electrical wiring doesn't always run in straight lines. Unfortunately, aluminum breaks relatively easily. Such breakages increase electrical resistance and can lead to malfunctions, including electrical fires.
3. Susceptibility to Corrosion and Oxidation
Aluminum is susceptible to both galvanic corrosion and oxidation. Galvanic corrosion occurs when dissimilar metals come into contact while oxidation occurs due to aluminum's exposure to oxygen in the air. Corrosion and oxidation insulate electrical conductors, weaken electrical connections, and increase electrical resistance.
4. Great Malleability
Malleability refers to a material's ability to deform due to compressive forces. Aluminum is highly malleable. For example, you can easily compress aluminum when you tighten a screw to make an electrical connection. The deformation increases the conductor's electrical resistance.
5. Susceptibility to Thermal Expansion and Contraction
Metals expand when hot and contract when cool. Aluminum is relatively more susceptible to expansion and contraction than other wiring materials. The expansion and contraction can loosen electrical connections, such as the connection between wires and switches. Loose connections can lead to overheating and associated malfunctions.
How to Detect Aluminum Wiring
You should know if your house has aluminum wiring. Here are three ways to detect the material.
1. Labeling
Look out for labels on visible parts of your electrical wiring. Labels to look out for include:
- The word Aluminum in your electrical panel
- CO/ALR markings that indicate copper or aluminum
- AL markings
Ask an electrician to help you interpret labels or markings you don't understand.
2. Period of Construction
Aluminum wiring is common in homes built between 1965 and 1973. Older homes may also have the material if they experienced rewiring or electrical renovation during the same period. The period of construction is not definitive proof, but it shows the need for further investigation. Some newer houses also have aluminum wiring.
3. Electrical Inspection
Don't open up your electrical wiring or installations to hunt for aluminum wiring. You might suffer injury or cause damage. If you're unsure whether you have aluminum wiring, contact a professional electrician to inspect your electrical system.
The Remedy
If you do find aluminum wiring, you should take the relevant precautions to reduce the associated risks. Here are two specific measures to take.
1. Rewire the House
The ideal solution is to replace the electrical wiring in the entire house. This solution makes even more sense if the house is old and still has its original electrical wiring. Aging electrical systems are susceptible to damage irrespective of their materials. The only drawback is that rewiring is relatively expensive.
2. Address Specific Dangers
Another option is to take piecemeal measures to target the specific dangers of aluminum wiring. For example, you can:
- Use an antioxidant paste to reduce the risk of oxidation.
- Use copper-to-aluminum connectors to connect short copper wires to aluminum ends. This solution reduces the risk associated with aluminum electrical connections.
An electrician can assess your wiring and advise you on the best solution.
Regular inspections are necessary for electrical safety and efficiency. Express Electrical Services has the resources and experience to install and maintain your electrical wiring. Contact us
for help on your aluminum wiring or any other electrical problem you have.
