Questions tagged [aluminum-wiring]

Aluminum wires were used for branch circuits in some older houses between the 60s and the late 70s. They are no longer used for residential branch-circuit wiring due to fire risk (old AA-1350) and economic (AA-8000) considerations, but existing wires can be maintained in a way that makes them relatively safe. AA-8000 wire and cable will be marked as such -- cable not marked as such can be assumed to be AA-1350.

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How do I wire a replacement light fixture in a pre 1976 mobile home? [closed]

I have a 1960 mobile home. I am replacing a light fixture in the bedroom. All the wiring is through the ceiling. It's 12/2 cable with black and white wire and a ground. There is a power supply from ...
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Splice box - how to use "polaris" connectors?

In the process to perform a DIY 400A main panel upgrade, I have spliced these wires coming from the new main panel to a cable that goes to a sub-panel. This is a pre-existing box where the same cable ...
Alessio Sangalli's user avatar
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1 answer
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Doorbell transformer for aluminum wiring

From other posts it seems clear I need to update my transformer to 16V 30 VA in order to handle my wired Google Nest doorbell when the weather turns cold. My existing transformer is wired directly to ...
Alex's user avatar
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8 votes
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Are there any obvious issues in my DIY main panel wiring?

I'm in the process of a DIY 400A service upgrade, I roughly wired up the main panel waiting for the utility to schedule the switchover to the new line. For now I have installed a single 125A breaker ...
Alessio Sangalli's user avatar
1 vote
2 answers
73 views

Can I install a new dimmer on existing aluminum wiring?

I have aluminum wiring. Can I install a dimmer switch in place of a standard toggle switch and also standard on/off switches without the ground wire?
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4 votes
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New Sub Panel to new shop – Please check my math/plan

Wanted to run my plan by the experts to make sure I’m not screwing up. I have an approximate 180’ run from my 200 Amp Eaton Main Panel, to a proposed 125 Amp sub-Panel in my new shop. The Run Wire ...
Phil Acker's user avatar
2 votes
1 answer
661 views

Can you identify what gauge wire this is?

I had my electrical panel updated by a pro a few years back and this wire was on a 50amp breaker. When he updated the panel, he changed it to a 30amp breaker. The wiring is aluminum and is from the ...
bigmike7801's user avatar
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Replacing Meter Panel and adding a 100 amp sub panel. Should I use SER cable 2/0, 2/0, 2/0, 1 AL?

I have an existing 100/125 amp meter panel with 4 used spaces (2 100amp double breakers = 4 spaces used). The power comes in from underground through metal conduit into the bottom of the panel. Power ...
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Grounding stranded aluminum wire to junction box - 240v, for stove

I am attempting to replace a 110v outlet with a 240v outlet. This outlet is behind the stove in my kitchen. It was formerly powering a gas range, and this new outlet will be used for an electric range....
Dan Scott's user avatar
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Connecting 6awg copper to 2awg aluminum feeder?

I want to put a RV 50 amp plug in box about 100 feet from my house. The 50 amp breaker for the panel won’t accept 2awg aluminum. I have about 10 feet of 6/6/6/8 copper wire that will work with the ...
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Is my plan for running cable 250ft to a subpanel OK?

Im running 2224 aluminum 250ft to a subpanel. I need two 15amp outlets. I plan on using 2224 and a subpanel. Is there a better option. Thank you !
John Taylor's user avatar
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Re-pulling aluminum SEU cable

I had previously pulled a #6 Al SEU cable out of the wall and back down into my crawlspace, so I can replace it with a copper Romex cable. Now I realized I need the SEU back (I had miscalculated the ...
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Aluminum Splicer/Reducer for Connecting Thicker Aluminum and Copper Wires

I would like to connect 6 gauge aluminum wire to 12 gauge copper wire. Is an aluminum splicer/reducer suitable for this in the USA? An example is the Morris 90612. It is a rectangular aluminum ...
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2 answers
638 views

Copper vs Aluminum ground wire

My house was built in the 70s and originally had all aluminum wiring. New circuits have been added over the years and the house currently has a mix of both aluminum circuits and copper circuits, ...
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100 Amp sub panel 240 ft away from main panel [closed]

I'm adding a sub panel to a workshop building which will require 240 ft of wire. To keep costs down I plan to run aluminum. Can someone please confirm my plan is adequate for the situation. Code does ...
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What are the pros/cons for aluminum vs copper wiring on feeders?

A well established electrical company is installing a subpanel a significant distance from our main service. They sent two quotes indicating they could use either 3/0 Aluminum or 1/0 Copper feeder and ...
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Installing a new Aluminum branch circuit. Do I need to use antioxidant grease?

I am installing a new branch circuit for an electric range (current range is gas). The only difference between this and all the other electrical work I've done is this will be the first time I've ...
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4 votes
2 answers
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Existing same-phase multi-wired branch circuit

Bought a 1960s home with aluminum wiring. I noticed that I have two sets multiwire branch circuit? (also known as "multiwire circuit", "multiwire branch circuit", "shared ...
John Greene's user avatar
2 votes
2 answers
152 views

Upgrading Garage Sub-Panel

Existing: I have a 100 Amp panel in my garage. It is supplied by 3-2/0 Aluminum cables (Hot-Hot-Neutral) in 2" PVC conduit, from my 200 Amp Main Service Panel on the house about 50' away. Goal: ...
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7 votes
2 answers
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What current capacity does 6 AWG AL TYPE SE have for an EV charger?

We recently finished our basement and had electrician run a cable to the garage for an electric vehicle charger that terminates in a junction box in the garage. From the 200A panel the cable is ...
user163047's user avatar
4 votes
2 answers
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8/3 Aluminum wiring to dryer with junction box?

1970 home in Colorado - I’m pretty good with copper but still learning the do’s and dont’s of aluminum. I noticed the dryer was wired with 12/2 cu and a 3 prong outlet which seemed just bad so wanted ...
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Dangers of splitting and reconnecting a ring circuit with oxidized aluminium wiring

I'm in the UK, and have a ring circuit with old aluminium wiring. I need to temporarily split and reconnect the ring at several sockets, in order to discover which part of the ring has a live-to-earth ...
Andrew Parks's user avatar
1 vote
3 answers
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Locating the part of a ring main triggering a circuit breaker fault using a standard multimeter

I'm in the UK, and my house has old aluminium wiring for the wall sockets. I think it's a ring main. Over the last couple of weeks, either the RCD or a circuit breaker would trip every few days. ...
Andrew Parks's user avatar
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Grounding pin on Type E socket is warm to the touch

I live in an apartment building built about 40-50 years ago, with aluminium wiring and Type E power plugs. I noticed that the grounding pin on one of the sockets is somewhat warm to the touch, I would ...
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Could this have been the cause of power issues I was having?

Based on comments/answer to my previous question, I cleaned the box up some, tightened all screws (no torque specs to be found) so I tightened to satisfaction. I also noticed the wire on lower left ...
Larry D's user avatar
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3 votes
2 answers
659 views

Old aluminum wiring for cooktop and wall oven

I have a home built in 1968 that had all aluminum wiring throughout I replaced the panel and all circuits with copper. The two remaining circuits for a cooktop and separate wall oven are wired in 8/3 ...
Mike's user avatar
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1 answer
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Can dielectric grease be used on aluminum wire?

Can dielectric grease like this one be used with aluminum wire? (in place or in combination with black dioxide paste) to stop the oxygen in the air from harming the aluminum?
Matt's user avatar
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Can I splice #12 aluminum with #14 copper on 15 amp breaker?

I am renovating the 2nd floor of my 1970's home. I decided to change from 1 switched outlet with a lamp in each room to the switch controlling 4-6 LEDs. Breaker Box: Dual Pole 15 Amp Breaker Supply ...
TL DIY's user avatar
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1 answer
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What is the safest way to pigtail aluminum wiring? [duplicate]

I'm looking for a way to remediate the aluminum wiring in a home built in the 1970s. Currently, the whole house is wired with aluminum and the switches/outlets are original and not aluminum rated. ...
ivorysoap's user avatar
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9 votes
1 answer
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Aluminum Wire Restrictions

I am (hopefully) getting some major electrical work done soon by a professional electrician. While it probably won't matter much (meter is only a few feet from existing panels, and new panels will be ...
manassehkatz-Moving 2 Codidact's user avatar
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1 answer
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Wire sizing question

I have to remove a wall and there is a 220 cable that needs to be re-routed. To do that I have to extend the cable. Is extending possible using boxes and the right alumicon connectors. Here is ...
Jon J's user avatar
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3 answers
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New ceiling fan with internal aluminum wiring and leads. Is it still safe?

I Installed a new ceiling fan, but I'm still freaking out, because the fan itself used aluminum wiring! I thought aluminum wiring was banned or something, or at least fell out of use. I know different ...
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1 vote
0 answers
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Wire guage needed for adding a 100 amp breaker box in garage

I'm running a wire buried wire from my indoor breaker box to an indoor breaker box in my detached garage. I have a 200 amp main breaker box but in the garage I am using a 100 amp breaker box. The main ...
Travis Lee Spencer's user avatar
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588 views

How to fix overfilled 1-gang switch box?

I have a 1-gang electrical box for a lightswitch. Because of how the room was historically wired it has a lot of cables coming into it. It has the following romex wires coming into/out of it: Home ...
Jagerber48's user avatar
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1 answer
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Black&white live wires, unidentifed breaker

We have 2 wires that were attached to a non functional baseboard heater when we bought our house.We've since removed the heater, but cannot locate the breaker to stop power to the wires. We've gone ...
user129882's user avatar
3 votes
1 answer
1k views

Can I use an existing range circuit for a new sub-panel?

Lots of good information out there but wanted to confirm that what I'm learning is accurate and also ask a little about aluminum wiring. Context/Background I'm finishing my basement (one bedroom, an ...
Brian S's user avatar
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4 votes
2 answers
707 views

Can I replace the aluminum cable of a single circuit with romex?

There is a single run of cable that needs to be replaced; all of our wiring is aluminum. I want to use cable with copper conductors instead of aluminum if at all possible. The run goes directly from ...
user's user avatar
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11 votes
4 answers
3k views

Is this the kind of situation where aluminium wiring is potentially dangerous?

I recently moved into a rental that has aluminum wiring. My understanding is that the wiring itself isn't dangerous, it's just the interface between aluminum and copper where you have problems ...
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125' Run 30 Amp Service Camper

I have a Camper that needs a 30 amp service. Its about 125' away from the panel in the house. I'm looking into using aluminum, but I'm struggling to find the right information. I see 6-6-6 URD and it ...
Trevor's user avatar
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2 votes
4 answers
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Should I have all the aluminum wiring removed from my home or just the damaged portion?

My home has aluminum wiring, which was wired approximately 20 years ago. A single line of wiring connecting bathroom geyser caught fire and got burnt. I am planning to rewire my house again. Should I ...
moonberry's user avatar
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2 votes
2 answers
1k views

I have aluminum 12 2 wiring i want to add an extra light Daisy chain what gauge/amp copper wire do i use for a 3 ft span, i will be using alumiconns

Adding 1 extra light total of 2 on circuit. Need to know what gauge of copper wire to add to aluminum 12-2 gauge 3’ span. I will use AlumiConn connectors
Kelly's user avatar
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0 answers
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Need help wiring and design/layout questions [duplicate]

I am installing a 60 amp outdoor sub-panel 600+ feet away from the 200 amp main service panel. Here is what I am doing based on my requirements: Run a 2-2-2-4 Aluminum underground feeder to this 60 ...
Anwar's user avatar
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3 votes
3 answers
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High temperature aluminum to copper connection

Summary 120v Oven power wire connector melted and shorted out. Was going to splice the wires together with high temperature wire nut, but found that internal oven power wires are aluminum and the ...
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1 vote
1 answer
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Reuse aluminum wire for basement Sauna heater

I have existing aluminum wiring, previously used for an electric stove top, that I would like to repurpose for a sauna heater in my basement. The electric stove top is gone. Heater Specs from the ...
Steve's user avatar
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1 vote
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150A for outdoors kitchen - wire size

I am working with the city to get the permits to build an outdoors kitchen with its own sub-panel. I decided to place it 100ft from the house. In my list[*] I have an electric tankless water heater, ...
Alessio Sangalli's user avatar
2 votes
4 answers
2k views

Is soldering copper to aluminum wire allowed under NEC?

Another question made me curious, does the NEC allow copper wire to be joined to aluminum wire by soldering?
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2 votes
3 answers
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Is there anything to be concerned with this picture?

I just got a W/D combo unit that only needs a 120V outlet and my laundry room only has a 240V outlet. Rather than converting the 240V to a 120V, I want to be able to have both 120V and 220V outlets ...
808DIY's user avatar
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8 votes
4 answers
12k views

GFCI for aluminum-wired house

I recently bought a house built in the US in the 1970s. It has all-aluminum wiring. A last-second fix to pass the occupancy inspection involved replacing some malfunctioning GFCIs with, unbeknownst ...
Bort's user avatar
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2 votes
1 answer
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What Happens When a Copper Wired Component is Introduced into an Antique Lamp with Aluminum Wiring?

A couple years ago I inherited a reading lamp my Grandfather gave my Grandmother back in the 40s. It was functional, except the 3-way rotary switch needed to be replaced. The new switch had copper ...
Knucklehead's user avatar
3 votes
2 answers
492 views

ALUMAFLEX Wire + Copper Wiring

Greeting Electrical wiring experts ! In consideration of a Southern California house built in 1975, we discovered that most of the branch wiring is labeled as ALUMAFLEX AL/2, so we assumed the house’ ...
H1991's user avatar
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