[WIRING] - Aluminum Wire, Copper Switches
Christine Filer
pertinent to my situation. Our condominium is wired
with aluminum and is 18 years old. To my shock <No
pun intended> when I was replacing the old light
switches I noticed that they had a warning on the
box: "Do NOT use with aluminum wire". I noticed this
after I had replaced several of the switches. So I
started putting the old switches back and I was even
more surprised to read "For Back Wiring use only #14
solid copper wire only" - on the backs of the old
switches.
This means that the entire building is wired with
switches and outlets which are not compatible with
aluminum. The FAQ mentions that copper pig tails
can be installed between the switch and the aluminum.
I would like to use braided wire because it's easier
to wrap it around the aluminum and to connect with a
marrette cap, so:
- If I use braided wire, is there a compatibility
problem with tinning the end that connects to the
switch (with solder)?
- If there is a problem, can I just connect the braided
wire to the switch, or do I have to use solid copper
as the switch recommends?
Given that the building has been in service for 18 years
with incompatible switches and sockets what is your gut
reaction? Is it:
- YIKES, get the place checked ASAP!!!!!! - or -
- Well, it's been in service this long, it's probably OK.
There are 25 units in our building so I want to get this
resolved one way or the other. I would appreciate comments
and suggestions. If you respond via EMAIL please use:
rfi...@glenayre.com
Thankyou all.
Rory Filer
Chris Lewis
In article <1993Nov16....@sfu.ca> cfi...@fraser.sfu.ca (Christine Filer) writes:
>I've just read the FAQ on aluminum wiring and it is
>pertinent to my situation. Our condominium is wired
>with aluminum and is 18 years old. To my shock <No
>pun intended> when I was replacing the old light
>switches I noticed that they had a warning on the
>box: "Do NOT use with aluminum wire". I noticed this
>after I had replaced several of the switches. So I
>started putting the old switches back and I was even
>more surprised to read "For Back Wiring use only #14
>solid copper wire only" - on the backs of the old
>switches.
This is quite possibly a false alarm, for I read the "For Back
Wiring use only #14 copper" to mean the push in terminals on
the back, not the side screws. Do the old switches have
"CO/ALR" or "Cu/Al" on them?
>This means that the entire building is wired with
>switches and outlets which are not compatible with
>aluminum. The FAQ mentions that copper pig tails
>can be installed between the switch and the aluminum.
>I would like to use braided wire because it's easier
>to wrap it around the aluminum and to connect with a
>marrette cap, so:
No. You can't use braided wire for this. Particularly
not with a marrette. The NEC requires a special crimp connector,
antioxidizing grease and solid wire.
>- If I use braided wire, is there a compatibility
> problem with tinning the end that connects to the
> switch (with solder)?
Tinning the end of a wire used in a marrette or screw connector
represents much more of a hazard than the aluminum does - same
issue, only worse.
>- If there is a problem, can I just connect the braided
> wire to the switch, or do I have to use solid copper
> as the switch recommends?
Solid.
>Given that the building has been in service for 18 years
>with incompatible switches and sockets what is your gut
>reaction? Is it:
>- YIKES, get the place checked ASAP!!!!!! - or -
>- Well, it's been in service this long, it's probably OK.
If you can't verify there's a CO/ALR or Cu/Al stamp on the
switches, you may want to get a real electrician in to take
a look. It may be worth your while to say that you won't
hire them to do the work if it needs any, so you can rule
out them trying to get the job by making it out worse than it is.
I wouldn't exactly bring in an inspector for fear of precipitating
something too immediate, but if it is aluminum connected to ordinary
non-aluminum-rated switches, they should be changed.
--
Look on the bright side - at least the PC's reached gender parity!
Chris Lewis; cle...@ferret.ocunix.on.ca; Phone: Canada 613 832-0541
Ferret list: ferret-...@ferret.ocunix.on.ca