Is aluminum wiring safe? Aluminum wiring is an acceptable wiring choice if properly installed and used in the correct application. Aluminum is a good conductor of electricity. It is light weight, strong, and much cheaper than copper. The power supply lines providing power to your home are aluminum, as is almost the entire BC Hydro power grid. Today, stranded aluminum cable is usually used for main distribution wiring or feeder lines to bring electricity to the home. Aluminum wire itself is considered reliable when used in the right application and is carefully and correctly installed and maintained. If you are unsure how to use electrical aluminum wiring, we recommend contacting your local residential licensed electrician.
It is estimated that there are over 450,000 homes in Canada that are wired entirely with aluminum wiring. Studies confirm that these homes are 55 times more likely to have a fire hazard condition present than homes wired with copper. Most of these homes were built in the 1960’s to late 1970’s. Problems began to surface where aluminum was used in branch circuit wiring. These are the smaller wires that bring electricity from the electrical panel to the plugs, switches, and light fixtures. Testing revealed that aluminum wiring has some problematic characteristics that are not found with copper.
Aluminum tends to oxidize when exposed to air, resulting in overheating, and eventually failure at the termination points. Aluminum wiring is not as resilient as copper and also has a higher rate of expansion, which can cause loose terminations and connections, resulting in possible arcing, melting and even fire. Breakage, due to improper stripping of the wires or over-tightening of the splices during the installation stage, can create further problems. Because of these concerns, aluminum wire is now banned from use in branch circuit wiring. Insurance companies are wary of homes with aluminum wiring and most companies require a complete electrical safety inspection by a trained and certified electrical contractor before policies are sold or renewed. Electrical modifications are usually needed and, in some cases, complete rewiring is recommended to reduce the risk of a house fire.
If you were not informed of the presence of aluminum wiring when you purchased your home, you may be able to check the wire yourself. Check to see if any of the electrical wiring visible in the attic, basement, crawl space, or at the service panel (without removing the cover) is marked with the word “ALUMINUM” or any of its’ abbreviations, ALUM, AL, ALUM ACM, AL ACM. An electrical safety inspection would also confirm the presence of aluminum wiring, along with other possible safety concerns.
If you notice any of these problems, it is important to have a certified, electrical contractor check the electrical system as soon as possible. Each home is wired differently and must be assessed on an individual basis to determine the best and safest solution to this safety concern.
In an effort to update the appearance of the home, some homeowners have unknowingly compounded the problem by replacing dated plugs and switches with more modern looking “Decora style” devices which are not rated for use with aluminum wiring. This has created an additional safety concern as the incompatible parts cause electrical resistance, resulting in overheating and possibly a fire.
Yes, BC homeowners have three ESA approved options, when addressing the concerns of aluminum wiring.
This cost-effective method is a good start in improving the safety of your home’s electrical system. It involves replacing all the receptacles and switches in the home with ones that are rated for aluminum wiring. This takes care of both the metal expansion/contraction and corrosion issues. Unfortunately this choice is limited to some older style, standard devices as the popular decorator style “Decora” devices and the new Tamper Resistant receptacles are not available in CO/ARC form. This method alone does not address connections in lighting fixtures.
The most common method of addressing this problem is bridging a new copper pigtail wire between the existing aluminum wire and any electrical device. This connection must be done using very specific wire connectors along with an applied anti-oxidant paste to increase conductivity and eliminate corrosion.
Obviously this is the best and safest long term solution to the aluminum wire dilemma. For obvious reasons, it is also the most labor intensive and costly method, with investments ranging from $7,000 to $20,000 plus, depending on the size of the home. Over all costs may possibly be decreased when rewiring is coordinated with other major or structural renovations.
All three of these methods should be performed by a trained and certified electrical contractor to ensure proper installation procedures are strictly followed. Blue Crest Electric can perform all three of these methods, visit our residential electrical services page to learn more. Depending on the circumstances, a Blue Crest Electric electrician may recommend one or a combination of the above methods.
“Recently we had our home wiring changed over from aluminum to copper wiring due to a concern about fire and insurance premiums. We went back to Blue Crest because they had previously solved a problem that three other electricians could not solve.
As I was explaining the process to my co-workers and friends, they warned me that there would be holes all over the house and I would be sorry I had started. When the day came to start, I was somewhat concerned about what was going to happen. Ray and his crew showed up and took over the house!!! Normal, I guess, since every room had to be worked in. But my fears were soon laid to rest as they were very accommodating about our requests, did not let our dogs escape, and involved us in the entire process. All with a sense of humour and professionalism. They listened carefully to how we lived in the house and what appliance was being used in which room. Any deficiencies from when the home was first constructed were addressed and corrected when necessary. My wife and I especially appreciated the cleaning up every day as we have allergies to dust. And about the holes. When it was all said and done, there were four holes in the garage that were easily patched.
We appreciate the great job Blue Crest did for us. Wiring isn’t a job where you see the finished product, but we have a great deal of comfort knowing that the job was done well.” – Ray & Linda Friesen, White Rock
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Your home is your safe haven and should be a space where you can relax in comfort. The last thing you expect is that sparks will start flying and a potential fire could start within your walls. At Blue Crest Electric we want everyone to feel secure and safe knowing that their home is electrically... READ MORE
