switch has pigtail to silver wire?
#1
10-06-14, 10:28 AM
switch has pigtail to silver wire?
I replaced a one way switch recently. The junction box has pigtails to some smaller silver wire, which is connected to the switch. 2 black wires, the neutral is just connected to another neutral in the junction box but doesn;t connect to the switch.
Is this ok? I read somewhere you shouldn't mix aluminium with copper?
Is this ok? I read somewhere you shouldn't mix aluminium with copper?
#2
10-06-14, 10:37 AM
Not all silver wire is aluminum. It could be tin covered copper which needs no special treatment.
If you can do so easily, file or scrape the extreme end of the wire. See if copper color shows through.
If it is aluminum, the connectors need to be a special kind for use with aluminum. Usually the kit comes with a tube of jelly to cover the exposed wire with.
The aluminum connectors will work with copper to copper joints although this is expensive overkill.
If you can do so easily, file or scrape the extreme end of the wire. See if copper color shows through.
If it is aluminum, the connectors need to be a special kind for use with aluminum. Usually the kit comes with a tube of jelly to cover the exposed wire with.
The aluminum connectors will work with copper to copper joints although this is expensive overkill.
#6
10-06-14, 05:18 PM
Group Moderator
#9
10-07-14, 06:44 AM
Member
The are the silver with small wires/filaments...easy to wrap around a stiff copper wire.
ray2047
That would be tinned copper. Look at a cross section.
That would be tinned copper. Look at a cross section.
