However, as time passes, trouble emerged - namely... homes were burning down with the aluminum connections to devices - outlets and switches - while the cause. As a matter of fact, research conducted by Franklin Research Institute for Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) revealed that homes constructed with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to catch fire than homes wired with copper. There's nothing wrong with the aluminum itself. It is an excellent conductor and less costly than copper. The difficulties arise because aluminum expands and contracts far faster than copper when used. This can cause a loose connection, creating gaps that will cause sparking and fire. Compounding the issue further is the fact that aluminum almost immediately starts to oxidize the moment it's subjected to the oxygen within our air. This reaction forms an oxide coating on the wire much like rust forms on iron.

This oxide reduces the capability for the wire to conduct electricity resulting in a lot more heat. Eventually, it may become hot enough to melt or burn fixtures - such as for example wall outlets and switches - where in fact the exposed aluminum is touching the brass connections. So the issue is the exposed aluminum across the connections - and the connections themselves. When deemed to be unsafe in 1974, aluminum wiring was all but discontinued in home applications. Unfortunately, it was too late for the homes already installed with it.If your home is fitted with aluminum wiring, you can be facing other problems aside from the obvious threat of fire. Some insurance companies will not insure homes with aluminum wiring unless it is updated presenting day electrical code pet film.

This may cause untimely and unwelcome financial obligations if you were trying to sell your house or get your renovations passed by a government inspector. Furthermore, if your insurance company discovers that a fire in your house was brought on by aluminum wiring connections, they may reject your claim for financial compensation. Now there are several solutions to this bad situation, but the very first thing you need to do is determine if you have aluminum wiring to start with. You can get an electric contractor overseen by a master electrician to have a view it for you.

But the easiest way to do this is to consider the printed or embossed markings on the outer jacket of the electric wiring, which are visible in unfinished walls or ceilings in basements, attics, or garages. Cable with aluminum conductors may have "Al" or "Aluminum" and other information marked on one side of the cable jacket every few feet along its length. If for whatever reason, you can't see any wiring, then there is another, albeit a tad bit more involved way of checking.