Aluminum Wiring Repair

"An estimated 2 million homes were built with aluminum wire between 1965 and the mid to late 70's. These homes are "55 times more likely to have one or more connections reach FIRE HAZARD CONDITION than is a home wired with copper." - The United Stated Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC

Signs of trouble in aluminum wire systems include:

• Cover plates on outlets or switches that are warm-to-the-touch
• Flickering lights
• Circuits that don’t work, or work intermittently
• The smell of burning plastic at outlets, switches, or lighting
• Smoking outlets, switches, or lighting
• Tripping circuit breakers, for no apparent reason
• Unusual static on the radio or TV

Download U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission brochure..

Based on these standards, as of the date of this publication, CPSC approves of only three methods for a permanent repair.

1. Complete Replacement of Copper Cable
2. COPALUM Method of Repair
3. Acceptable Alternative Repair Method/AlumiConn Connector

Daniels Electric can provide the COPALUM or AlumiConn recommended method or repair.

The COPALUM connector system attaches a copper wire to the old aluminum wires and is then crimped together with a power tool, achieving a "cold weld" between the conductors. The "cold weld" creates a permanent bond that eliminates electrical arcing or glowing connections and creates a safer electrical connection at outlets, switches, lights, circuit breakers, and panelboard terminals.

The AlumiConn (short for aluminum + connector) physically intersplice aluminum and copper wire together! Because the ports on AlumiConn are independent of each other, current can flow from the aluminum wire to the copper through the internal lug. For further safety and security, each port on the AlumiConn connector comes pre-filled with a proprietary anti-oxidant sealant, further eliminating any possibility of oxidation build up.