Pig tailing Aluminum Wiring for Copper Wire Safety

So, an inspection noted that you have aluminum wire and that should be looked at by an electrician? And it should. Here’s the thing; aluminum wire has gotten a bad rap over the years. Scare tactics have people nervous about their wiring and they want to rewire the entire house.

The reality is that aluminum wire is still used today, commercially, and is as safe as copper. If it is installed properly. Sorta like saying the tires on your car are dangerous. Yeah, if the lug nuts aren’t tight. What we are looking for in pig tailing is to make sure the copper and the aluminum are bonded correctly. That is done by using the code approved purple wire nuts. These have the bonding agent installed in the wire nut and will prevent the galvanic action that occurs when dissimilar metals are in contact with each other. And you thought electricians just dealt with electricity, not chemical science.

There is another option in the aluminum world. Aluminum rated devices. These are designated by a stamp on the devices that says AL/CO. Which is slightly humorous as CO on the table is for cobalt. Copper is CU. But it makes it clear to people who haven’t studied the periodic table.

What should you do? If you have concerns, give me a call. I can do an inspection, and we can verify that the devices are correct, or the pigtails are done properly. If you are replacing any devices yourself and are not sure about the procedure, call me. I can walk you through that over the phone. Please turn off the power before attempting any electrical work. I would rather talk to you at your house and not at the hospital.