Is aluminum wire a fire hazard and what should I do about it?

From the mid-'60s to the early '70s, electricians in many new or remodeled homes installed aluminum wiring to feed branch circuits from the main panel to outlets and lighting fixtures. What was later discovered is that while continuous runs of aluminum wire didn't present problems, when those wires were connected to light switches, outlets and other wires in junction boxes, the connections deteriorated and became fire hazards.

In 2019, it is often tempting to believe homes with aluminum wiring are safe since the wiring hasn't been a problem for 30 to 40 years, but that is now a dangerous misconception. The more time these old connections have had to deteriorate, the worse the problem is.

The safest way to find out if your home has aluminum wiring is to hire a professional. But, you may be able to identify aluminum wires in your home by looking to see if any cables are labeled "AL" (Aluminum).

If your home does indeed have aluminum wiring, several options are available, but usually, one of the following two are recommended:

Option 1: Complete replacement of the home's electrical wiring system. This option is typically far too expensive for most homeowners, sometimes costing upwards of $8,000 or more.

Option 2: Replace every single connection in every single outlet, junction box, and switch with copper pigtail using a Copalum connection. Only certified electricians trained in Tyco Electronics (the Copalum manufacturer) are allowed to rent the tool required for installation.

If you have old wiring in your home that needs updating John's Electric is ready for the job. Contact us today.