Aluminum wiring: Is it safe?

In the 1970’s, aluminum wiring was used as a less-expensive alternative to copper wiring in many homes in Ontario. However, while aluminum wiring is a good conductor, it has a few inherent problems that need to be addressed for those that have it in their homes. Aluminum expands and contracts at a different rate than copper, and when two dissimilar metals, like copper and aluminum, are in contact with one another oxidization occurs on the aluminum causing corrosion and ultimately a potential for a fire hazard.

So what does this mean for your home? Do you have to replace all of the aluminum wiring? In short, the answer is no! While rewiring the aluminum conductors with copper may be an option for some, there are a few different practices that can help treat the aluminum wiring in your home and saving you the cost of rewiring and repairing the walls and ceilings. The most common areas of corrosion and heat damage are at the joints and connections of the wiring to other wiring or devices like switches and receptacles. Here are a few of the cost-saving options My Better Home can offer:

“Pigtailing” is the process of adding a small piece of copper wiring to the ends of the aluminum conductor and are held together with properly rated aluminum wire nuts and anti-oxidant paste. The copper tails can now be attached directly to any switch or receptacle without the fear of the aluminum wiring oxidizing or loosening from the terminals.

“Co/Alr devices” are switches and receptacles that are built and approved for direct attachment of aluminum and/ or copper wiring. Most devices sold today will have a “copper-only” rating, seen as a circle with the letters “CU” inside. Usually next to this is another circle with the letter “AL” and a line struck through. This denotes that you cannot connect aluminum wiring to these devices. A Co/Alr device allows this direct connection because of the materials used in the construction of the terminals.

If you have any other questions about aluminum wiring or how My Better Home can help you with your home and home insurance, don’t hesitate to give us a call!