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aluminum wiring in light fixtures

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Jeff Price

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Apr 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM4/20/00
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I need to install several new light fixtures. However, every fixture I've
looked at has what looks to be aluminum or aluminum type alloy wire in it.

I had always heard that Al wiring could have overheating problems and
shouldn't be mixed with Cu or Cu clad wiring. However, searches on the web
only turn up discussions of Al house wire not Al fixture wire. So why do
the new fixtures all come with what appears to be Al wire (other than being
cheap)?

Any precautions that need to be taken in installing these fixtures?

Thanks in advance.

Jeff Price
jpr...@mho.net

jubal

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Apr 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM4/20/00
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It's almost certainly tinned copper for corrosion
resistance. The actual "tinning" is usually some form of solder
although you can sometimes find nickle or similar plating on
these. If it were aluminum wire, it would have to say so since
aluminum requires special fixtures/connectors. I don't know for
sure, but I'd bet that UL requires copper for lighting fixtures
these days.

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Robert Hancock

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Apr 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM4/20/00
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It is not aluminum, it's tinned copper (coating of solder on it).

--
Robert Hancock Saskatoon, SK, Canada
To email, remove "nospam" from hanc...@nospamhome.com
Home Page: http://members.home.net/hancockr


"Jeff Price" <jpr...@mho.net> wrote in message
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Joseph Siewell

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Apr 20, 2000, 3:00:00 AM4/20/00
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If you are in doubt as to the wire type take the fixture back. aluminum
wire is not to be mixed with copper conductors without no alox or other type
oxidation inhibiter and approved compression connectors.

Joe Siewell

www.Infosacramento.com
"Robert Hancock" <hanc...@nospamhome.com> wrote in message
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Daniel Hicks

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Apr 21, 2000, 3:00:00 AM4/21/00
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There is absolutely no chance that a fixture bought in a reputable home
center type store would have aluminum wiring. The only fixtures that
MIGHT have aluminum wiring would be special purpose units designed for
commercial/industrial applications where aluminum wire was still being
used. This would mostly be things like outdoor pole lights.

The wire in question is simply tinned copper.

Jeff Price

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Apr 21, 2000, 3:00:00 AM4/21/00
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Thanks to all in the group who commented. You were right, a little scraping
revealed it to be tinned copper. I would have thought the the folks at Home
Depot or the lighting store would have know that....

Daniel Hicks wrote in message <38FFCF10...@ieee.org>...

Daniel Hicks

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Apr 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM4/22/00
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Not surprising. Minimum wage workers with minimal training.

TinMan1332

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Apr 22, 2000, 3:00:00 AM4/22/00
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>I would have thought the the folks at Home
>Depot or the lighting store would have know that....

That big orange box store has a nickname; "the orange box of rocks."

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