More About Aluminum Wiring
Home
Contact Us
Ask the Electrician
Products & Services
Project Portfolio
Dance of the Lights
About Us

There are multiple questions on this page. Be sure to scroll down to find the one you're looking for!

We have aluminum wiring in our house but can't afford to rewire it. Can we just replace all outlets/switches with co/alr ones? Is that a permanent solution?

There is nothing wrong with aluminum wiring, so long as all rules are closely followed. The three big ones are: 

1. making sure all devices are rated for use with aluminum wire;

2. no copper wire is directly connected to the aluminum; and

3. circuit breakers are sized properly for aluminum wire (i.e. #12 AWG aluminum can be protected with a maximum breaker size of 15 amps, not 20 amps like with copper wire)

Since aluminum has a lower melting point than copper, it is more prone to starting fires when wires are sized with the wrong circuit breakers. If breakers are sized properly, approved devices are used (i.e. rated for AL or ALR connections), and direct junctions between copper and aluminum wire are avoided, then you should be fine.

Enter content here

Enter content here

Enter content here

Wurtsboro Electric Service, Inc.

Licensed electricians serving Orange county, Sullivan county, and Ulster county in New York
(845) 888-8000 

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ 
     
        
All information contained within this site ©2004-2016, Wurtsboro Electric Service, Inc. All rights reserved.
Reproducing or duplicating any information contained herein is prohibited by law.
Contact Us       About Us       Resources