aluminum wire confusion

A while back I posted going to a friends house to troubleshoot two non-working kitchen countertop receptacles. I soon discovered the house was wired with kaiser aluminum romex both 12 and 14 awg. Ok since not having any experience with aluminum pretty much realized this wasnt something I felt comfortable working with, so began the process of schooling myself about aluminum wire. It seems there are many opinions but nothing good to say about aluminum romex. Anyway after getting "schooled" I observed these things. The branch circuits that are lighting and outlets and kitchen are protected by 20 amp breakers. Should be 15 amp also 14 awg is a no-no. Todays NEC requires 20 amp circuit for kitchen so aluminum will not work as I understand things. The two outlets that I looked in were back stabbed and the connections appeared to be blackish (not burnt) in color. So thing is this couple cannot go the cost of rewiring house and the electrician I talked to wouldnt touch the place unless they rewire with copper. He does not want the liability of leaving any aluminum romex, then house going up in flames. So quite a problem on what to do. And of course the owners could run their finger down the yellow pages and pick a contractor. Anyway I think you get the Idea. My opinion is that there is an industry overraction for the most part. I realize in this house there are some things that need to be upgraded and replaced. Im thinking my advice to them will be to find a contractor who is up on aluminum wired houses (not sure how to verify that yet) have them look at the problem and hopefully provide a less costly option/options. This certainly is out of my experience so wanted to get your opinions on whether Im on the right track or am I totally wrong? Obviously there are some things that need immediate attention but I am not sold on spending thousands to rewire this house.......RL

 

well.........if this was my home i would rewire, if there was some reason that were not possible, i would try to lessen the chances of fire by just running new circuits (in copper) to the kitchen (two counter circuits one microwave circuit a dishwaher circuit and a garbage disposal circuit, 5 total) then pig-tailing every device in the house with copper USING IDEAL CU/AL RATED WIRENUTS(kinda pricey wire nuts) Oh and there is no industry overreaction just look at the n.f.p.a. reports.

hope this helps

one other thing make sure the aluminum branch circuits a coated with nolox or the like(anti-oxidant compound) where they are landed in the panel(s)

 

Yes however researching the Ideal #65 "purple" wirenut shows it has flammable shell plus anti-oxident filler is highly flammable making it a bigger fire hazard than the wire nut you are probably replacing.......RL

 

Checking a code book aluminum should be 12 ga for 15 amp circuits and 10ga for 25 amp circuits No Mention for a 20 amp circuit. So already you have a problem with oversizing. Id change all the circuits to copper that have any type of heavy load on them. The rest I'd make sure all the recps were marked for aluminum and copper and are properly terminated

 

Mike NEC requires two or more 20 amp small appliance branch circuits for kitchen (210.11(c) and 210.52(b) , this house has 12 awg in kitchen appliance circuit. Switches and receptacles wont accept 10 awg wire. Question here is owners cant afford a copper rewire of this house so what are their other options, the repair and upgrading of aluminum romex has many contradictory opinions......RL

 

rlfrazee,
where can i find more info of that bomb you just dropped on me.
if the cu/al wirenut is in fact a MORE dangerous hazard than an AL termination alone, I owe clients a rework. its only right.........IF you are.

thanks

P.S. the only other solution for them would be to constantly maintian all connections and terminations. All AL wire needs this.

 

Sagamisan below is one of several comprehensive sites explaining aluminum upgrade, repair and proper/approved wiring methods. Be aware however there are many contractors who still go with the Ideal 65 wire nut.....RL
Scroll down to fire hazard al to cu connectors go to this link then down to #13 go to this link then scroll down to #55. Be sure to browse entire article though.
http://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum.htm

 

Rlfrazee,

I'm well aware that the code requires 2 20 amp circuits in the kitchen. It also requires the wire to be the proper size. 12 Ga aluminum is not the proper size for a 20 amp circuit. If your using copper then it is. So now your back to using 10 ga wire if your using aluminum for a 20 amp circuit which will fit under the screws of quality switches and recpticles but is a bear to stuff back into the box. I'd change any 20 amp circuits to copper.

 

Mike wasnt trying to cause argument on code I think both of us were saying same thing ,12 awg alum isnt acceptable for kitchen. My mention of code was in support of 12 awg alum not able to be 20 amp circuit, not an implication of your knowledge. My point about switches and receptacles not accepting 10 awg should have been as you said its very hard to work with, not that you cant terminate 10 awg on these devices. However most DIYER's do not buy these heavy duty switches in my opinion. You also are in the majority on your advice about this aluminum wiring. Also must not have read your original post as carefully as I shoud have and missed some of what you were saying. My apologees......RL

 

Rlfrazee,

No problem sometimes I read more into things than I should. Bottom line is the poor DIYer has aluminum with no cheap fixes

 

Mike, owners have decided to go the best route and rewire house with copper. And thats a relief to me for sure. Been burning the candle on both ends lately and think maybe had effect on poor choosing of text in previous reply.....Good luck...RL