By Barry Stone
Dear Barry,
Our home was built in the early 1970s, and many of the aluminum wire connections have become loose. An article I read warned of fire hazards with aluminum wiring and mentioned a way of upgrading the connections with copper ends. I'm pretty handy and would like to make these repairs but need some direction. Can you please advise me on the correct procedures for making aluminum wires safer?
--Mike
Dear Mike,
What you read about the hazards and possible upgrades of aluminum wiring is correct. The connections tend to become loose over time, and this looseness can cause overheating of the wires and fires within the walls. Fortunately, there is a way to retrofit the wire ends for improved fire safety. However, my primary advice on making aluminum wires safer is to delegate all related repairs to licensed electricians, rather than attempting to make these improvements yourself. Not only are electricians more knowledgeable and experienced at this kind of work, but also your liability as a property owner will be significantly decreased if a qualified professional does the work.
The repair method in question involves the installation of copper ends, commonly known as "pigtails," at outlets, lights, switches, and circuit breakers. However, it is essential that the attachments to the aluminum wires be done with hardware specifically rated for connecting copper to aluminum. Consult a few local electricians to find someone who is familiar with this process.
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