As you may already know, aluminum wiring puts your home at greater risk of experiencing electrical arcs, sparks, electrocution, and electrical fires. Whether you’ve just purchased a home with aluminum wiring or you’ve recently discovered that your home has aluminum wiring, you’re probably wondering what to do next.
Below are some of the best solutions to this problem. The solutions we discuss are all approved by the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC). Any other solutions are likely considered unsafe, ineffective, or not permanent.
Rewiring/Replacement
The safest and most complete solution for aluminum wiring is to have your home rewired with copper cabling. Due to its qualities (such as thermal expansion and contraction, malleability, and corrosion), aluminum wiring has been proven to be 55 times more at risk of starting electrical fires. Having a trained professional rewire your home with copper wiring eliminates this risk and significantly improves the safety of your home.
It is extremely important that you hire a qualified electrician to replace the wiring in your home. Hiring an unqualified individual can result in poor installation and serious risks to your home. Be sure to check your electrician’s reviews, references, years of experience, licenses, and certifications.
Repair
There are two methods of aluminum wiring repair that have been approved by the CPSC: the COPALUM method of repair and the AlumiConn Connector method of repair.
COPALUM Method of Repair
Aluminum wiring is known to expand when it heats up and contract when it cools. This thermal expansion and contraction often result in loose electrical connections. Loose connections are one of the main causes of electrical fires and shocks.
The COPALUM method of repair addresses this problem by attaching a short section of copper wire at the ends of each aluminum wire using a COPALUM connector. This method should be applied to every electrical connection involving aluminum wiring. When done correctly, it effectively establishes more reliable and safe connections and eliminates the risk of loose connections caused by aluminum wiring.
AlumiConn Connector Method of Repair
This method should only be considered if you are unable to replace your aluminum wiring or use the COPALUM method of repair. This method involves using AlumiConn connectors to replace loose electrical connections.
Call Lightning Bug Electric Today!
When it comes to keeping your home safe, no one does it quite like Lightning Bug Electric. Backed by 25+ years of service excellence, our electricians have encountered and resolved every kind of electrical issue imaginable. We have extensive experience servicing homes with aluminum wiring and can work with you to determine which solution best meets your needs and suits your specific situation. Whether you choose to have your aluminum wiring replaced or repaired, you can count on our team to make the process easy as can be.
With Lightning Bug Electric on your side, you can expect:
- Licensed and EATON-certified electricians
- Cost-effective solutions
- Flexible financing options
For home safety services, wiring and rewiring, electrical remodeling, and any other electrical service you may need, please turn to Lightning Bug Electric. Our team always gets the job done right.
Call (404) 471-3847 or contact us online to get started. We look forward to serving you!