Just got the keys on a 1974 house. Not in bad shape, the previous owners did a flip and did a reasonable job. Home inspection turned up some minor problems, but noted that the electric box had rusty connections on the breakers, and had a direct tap off the mains that goes somewhere unknown. Sellers got an estimate to have the box replaced, though the quote has very little detail. Today I made the discovery that there's a mix of aluminum and copper wire in the house. Hadn't noticed that when the inspector had the service panel cover off, and he didn't call attention to it. Is it a big deal to get a new service panel despite the aluminum wire? The quote I got was $1500, but I'm thinking I'll call someone to get a second quote.
Aluminum wiring question
- Thread starter Dave Sherman
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I would have every connection of high load checked. Water heater, oven and dryer. I would want those connections clean and made with noalox.
I have pigtailed aluminum wire to copper leads using shrink crimp connectors with grease so they don't oxidize. I'd done this for light circuits.
I have pigtailed aluminum wire to copper leads using shrink crimp connectors with grease so they don't oxidize. I'd done this for light circuits.
JHZR2
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Aluminum as the main service feed, sized appropriately for 200A is OK. It would get noalox and specified torquing. Its at recepticles and fixtures that Id be more concerned, especially high load ones.
The trick is to control the oxidation. As the others have said, use good compound and make sure every component touching aluminum is rated CU/AL.
The power companies distribute a gazzillion amps with 600Kv through aluminum. If it handled properly, it works fine
The power companies distribute a gazzillion amps with 600Kv through aluminum. If it handled properly, it works fine
1500 seams way to low to deal with alluminum wired house that has been messed with.
You must at least install the copper pig tails at each receptacle thru out the house, I used Alumiconn connectors, this is much more important than the breaker panel.
Around here $1500 would be the going rate. In Ohio, that might be a bit high. As noted above, there is nothing wrong with aluminum wiring in your house, if it's done right. The problem being if your home insurance company finds out that you have it, they might jack your rates or drop you. I would be looking around the internet to see if that's the case.
I have two houses with aluminum wiring which were poorly maintained. The biggest problem was the original owner used outlets and switches which were not rated for aluminum. Switches and outlets rated for aluminum are stamped COP/ ALUM. Also, use noalox on all connections without fail.
There is an excellent report entitled " Reducing the fire hazard in aluminum wired homes " by Jesse Aronstein. You can downlad it for free. The report talks about coating with wire with Noalox and then sanding the wire. The Noalox coating prevents reoxidation until you finsh the connection. I did not want to cut n paste as the report is copyrighted.
There is an excellent report entitled " Reducing the fire hazard in aluminum wired homes " by Jesse Aronstein. You can downlad it for free. The report talks about coating with wire with Noalox and then sanding the wire. The Noalox coating prevents reoxidation until you finsh the connection. I did not want to cut n paste as the report is copyrighted.
Thanks for the info, I'm checking out the Aronstein paper. Lots of good info. Seems I have some changes to make; looks like somebody put in some GFCIs which are most likely not Cu/Al. The rest of the switches and outlets appear to be original and are Cu/Al. The one outlet I was replacing I was able to exchange. Home Depot has a small selection of Cu/Al switches and outlets, so it's got the Noalox and sanding treatment.
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