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seaflo · 03-17-2009, 09:36 AM

For service receptacles and most house wiring aluminum was banned by most home inspecting governmental agencies years ago in the US. That type of wiring was responsible for numerous fires. Aluminum's resistance is high and thus it generates more heat; i.e. plastic insulation melts due to the high temps in the wire and then there's a fire. However in high voltage applications where the wire size (diameter) is greater and amperage draw is a relative constant (design control), aluminum is allowable. My advise to anyone with aluminum wiring for their 120/240 volt services is REPLACE IT NOW. The construction industry used it to save money versus using copper (bad idea, like so many cost "effective" measures). One should also use a sealant material (we used to use grease) to coat the dissimilar metals connections to reduce electrolysis MAKE DAMN SURE THE POWER IS OFF WHENEVER WORKING AROUND ELECTRICITY (THAT'S THE KIND OF BUZZ NO ONE NEEDS).
Aluminum is best in beverage cans. My 2p.

03-17-2009, 09:36 AM	#11 (permalink)
seaflo Old School Join Date: May 2005 Posts: 191 Thanks: 100 Thanked 60 Times in 40 Posts	For service receptacles and most house wiring aluminum was banned by most home inspecting governmental agencies years ago in the US. That type of wiring was responsible for numerous fires. Aluminum's resistance is high and thus it generates more heat; i.e. plastic insulation melts due to the high temps in the wire and then there's a fire. However in high voltage applications where the wire size (diameter) is greater and amperage draw is a relative constant (design control), aluminum is allowable. My advise to anyone with aluminum wiring for their 120/240 volt services is REPLACE IT NOW. The construction industry used it to save money versus using copper (bad idea, like so many cost "effective" measures). One should also use a sealant material (we used to use grease) to coat the dissimilar metals connections to reduce electrolysis MAKE DAMN SURE THE POWER IS OFF WHENEVER WORKING AROUND ELECTRICITY (THAT'S THE KIND OF BUZZ NO ONE NEEDS). Aluminum is best in beverage cans. My 2p. __________________ FREE AMERICA FROM INTOLERANCE.