AlumiConn: The Most Cost Effective Way to Connect Aluminum to Copper Wire
The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) reported that homes wired with aging aluminum are 55 times more likely to have one or more connections reach fire hazard conditions than copper wired homes.
Generally speaking, aluminum wired homes today are typically repaired by pigtailing aluminum wire to copper and aluminum wire devices with non-approved twist-on wire nuts and electrical tape. This is done by homeowners and electrical contractors every day. However, these wire nut connectors are more likely to overheat and can even lead to fires.AlumiConn's Aluminum to Copper Lug has been proven to be the most cost-effective method on the market to repair aluminum wiring in your home or building.
Determining If Your Home Was Copper Wired
Because of the sudden increase in the price of copper between the mid-1960's-70's, aluminum wire was widely used across the United States. If your home was constructed during that time period, it is likely that your home was wired with aluminum. After the price of copper decreased, it once again became the standard wire used in residential areas. For houses built after the 70s, copper wire was likely used.
Is Your Home Aluminum Wired?
Step One: Electrical wires are typically exposed in the attic, crawl space, or at the electrical panel. Look for the word "aluminum" or its element symbol "AL" on the plastic wire jacket.
Step Two: If the market isn't visible, trace the wire until you find an area where the metal is exposed and not hidden by the insulated jacket. AL wire often mimics the metallic grey color of aluminum, making them easier to identify.
Indications of Aluminum Wiring Issues
The danger of aluminum material is that it is less conductive than copper. This means that more aluminum is required to support the same electricity as copper wiring. As you continue to add appliances and electronics to your home, you exponentially increase the chance for your aluminum wiring to overheat. The overheating of your wiring could eventually lead to an electrical fire. For this reason, many homes have already replaced their "AL" wires with copper wires. Here are warning signals that indicate that you could have wiring problems.
Don’t Wait Until It's Too Late.
The problem is that aluminum wire failures happen slowly over an extended period of time, so it’s easy to miss the signs that issues are occurring.
According to the CPSC, rewiring your entire home or building would be the most thorough and permanent solution. While this is the most in-depth fix to a wiring issue, the cost for an electrician to rewire your home can run between $200-$500 per receptacle and switch depending on the region you live in.
If a new electrical panel is required, that could cost anywhere between $1,000-$3,000. Add in another $1,000-$2,000 worth of copper along with the cost of a permit from your local government. The rewiring project could cost you $15,000 for a 2,100 square foot home. Although your wiring problems would surely be fixed, it is not the most practical solution for most people.
Why is the AlumiConn Aluminum to Copper Lugs the most cost effective way?
The COPALUM Crimp will cost between $12-$15 per wire. One key disadvantage of the COPALUM crimp is that it can only be installed by a certified COPALUM technician. These technicians may not be readily available based on where you live. Although cheap, the COPALUM Crimp is a difficult option for people outside of COPALUM’s service area.
The AlumiConn lug would only cost you as low as $2.70 per connection. It can be installed by anybody with common electrical knowledge. The AlumiConn lug uses compression screws and can feature up to three ports, making wiring pigtails an easier process. They are also flexible as they can be used for aluminum to copper, aluminum to aluminum, and copper to copper connections. Another benefit is its resistance to rust, for longer lasting connections. Due to its simple installation process and its low cost to repair aluminum wiring, this is by far the most cost-effective way to address your building’s wiring problems. On top of all that, AlumiConn lugs are UL listed products so you can ensure that these products are safe to use.
Although the AlumiConn connectors are quite simple to install, it is recommended that you first consult with your local electrician before you take on the project yourself. You could also use educational resources to learn about wiring pigtails for future projects.
Be pro-active and don’t wait until it’s too late! Find AlumiConn aluminum to copper lugs here at HomElectrical!
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