Aluminium Wire Connectors

[Hop]

From much searching the internet, it appears that installing copper pigtails with the alumiconn connector is the way to go for a diy in a old residence and not to use the ideal65 purple wirenut.

I've called three electrical suppliers and they don't stock them and further more, don't know what they are but they do have the Ideal65 wirenut. The big box stores only keep a few alumiconn at $3.50 ea.

What gives? Are electrical contractors all still using the ideal65 purple wirenuts? The other recommended method is to COPALUM crimp connector but it requires a special tool that is only available to contractors licensed to use it.

I could rewire with copper but that would have to involve a contractor, permits, and inspections even though, I'm quite capable as a diy.

Aluminium wiring has become a money grab for suppliers and contractors.imo I've been lead to believe purple wire nuts are no safer than regular wire nuts yet, can't afford to hire contractors for +$10000 to do it the recommended way.

 

[kd3pc]

Your last statement is not true, there are some issues with smaller gauge aluminum, connectors and qualified installers. You may have to replace devices if you go with pigtails depending on the quality and specs of the currently installed devices..

Choices:
rewire with copper...pony up the money, do it once - right and done for decades.
crimp connectors by properly trained and competent installer.


Wire nuts are only as safe as their design and use designations AND PROPER installation, as regulated by code, AHJ, insurance companies and the like.

You may want to ask your home insurance agent/company these questions, as they may no longer insure your home, if you take shortcuts.

Best of luck.

 

[Norcal]

Your last statement is not true, there are some issues with smaller gauge aluminum, connectors and qualified installers. You may have to replace devices if you go with pigtails depending on the quality and specs of the currently installed devices..

Choices:
rewire with copper...pony up the money, do it once - right and done for decades.
crimp connectors by properly trained and competent installer.


Wire nuts are only as safe as their design and use designations AND PROPER installation, as regulated by code, AHJ, insurance companies and the like.

You may want to ask your home insurance agent/company these questions, as they may no longer insure your home, if you take shortcuts.

Best of luck.

I would not go asking questions of a insurance agent /company, one good way to open a huge can of worms.

 

[kd3pc]

I would not go asking questions of a insurance agent /company, one good way to open a huge can of worms.

I have seen the after effects of this, first hand. Insurance refused to pay out based on copious "non-approved and non-compliant" devices, this after a fire deemed electrical in nature, just as the OP seems to be in denial of. Very costly event for the homeowner, who used the wrong devices.

My point is there are valid concerns on the use of AL wire with CU devices, the least of which is risk of fire.

Very similar in my work on boats, the insurance company is very involved in the repair process and what devices/wiring/connectors are used in that repair. Insurance is quite often contingent on the repair, or will be simply denied.

YMMV

 

[Racerlarry]

What I did to my house was copper pigtails with No Alox to new devices. I did this in the 80s, I don't think the aluminum wire nuts were available then. I am an electrician.

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

What I did to my house was copper pigtails with No Alox to new devices. I did this in the 80s, I don't think the aluminum wire nuts were available then. I am an electrician.

Ive still never had anybody show me whats differant internally between the purple wirenuts and plain old tan ones other than having some differant brand/color of no lox inside of them.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Heres an interesting discussion on Mike Holt about AL/CU and purple 65s:

http://forums.mikeholt.com/showthread.php?t=104150

 

[Rrumbler]

Your last statement is not true, there are some issues with smaller gauge aluminum, connectors and qualified installers. You may have to replace devices if you go with pigtails depending on the quality and specs of the currently installed devices..

Choices:
rewire with copper...pony up the money, do it once - right and done for decades.
crimp connectors by properly trained and competent installer.


Wire nuts are only as safe as their design and use designations AND PROPER installation, as regulated by code, AHJ, insurance companies and the like.

You may want to ask your home insurance agent/company these questions, as they may no longer insure your home, if you take shortcuts.

Best of luck.

Concur with all but the idea of asking an insurance guy about this; they will usually freak out and cause mucho headaches that need not be.

I worked in an area of suburban bedroom communities in the seventies and eighties where almost all of the tract, and many custom homes were wired with aluminum Romex, and the high production piecework method of paying the wiremen brought out the worst in terms of quality work and safety. Many home fires were laid to improper installation of aluminum wire, and I got a lot of work aside from my regular custom, remodel, and TI work because of it. Aluminum is "tender" (my phrase), does not tolerate any mistreatment in the process of installation, and even the slightest nick or kink will cause likely breaking of the conductor in time; it is far less forgiving of rough treatment than copper. I would never recommend it for use in any application other than heavy industrial installations.

Now to address the idea that there is some sort of "money grab" or conspiracy afoot among Electrical Contractors and others - **** ****! Any contractor worth his salt will never recommend unnecessary work just to make more money. Personally, I have been called to clean up and repair the aftermath of too many electrical fires, and seen the damage, both material and emotional that they brought. When I bid a job, and the Generals that I worked for understood and made accommodation for it in their bidding process that if I thought there was danger of an electrical (or any other kind of) fire due to some earlier work, I would either be allowed to fix it and make it safe, even if that meant rewiring the whole place, or I would stop the job. They trusted my judgement, and I never cheated them. It is an insult to all of the good, hardworking, decent Contractors and Electricians out there to suggest otherwise.
.

 

[Norcal]

Ive still never had anybody show me whats differant internally between the purple wirenuts and plain old tan ones other than having some differant brand/color of no lox inside of them.

Have a box each of red Wingnuts, and red Scotchlocks, that are listed for CU/CU, AL/CU, & AL/AL, these were made before they decided to make them CU/CU only, never had any anti-oxidant in them.

The Ideal purple wirenuts are CU/AL only, not AL/AL.

 

[Original Guster]

I have used alumicon connectors quite a bit. They use a setscrew and are great to work with.
http://www.kinginnovation.com/products/20/3-port-alumiconn

 

[zmaxmotorsports]

Concur with all but the idea of asking an insurance guy about this; they will usually freak out and cause mucho headaches that need not be.

I worked in an area of suburban bedroom communities in the seventies and eighties where almost all of the tract, and many custom homes were wired with aluminum Romex, and the high production piecework method of paying the wiremen brought out the worst in terms of quality work and safety. Many home fires were laid to improper installation of aluminum wire, and I got a lot of work aside from my regular custom, remodel, and TI work because of it. Aluminum is "tender" (my phrase), does not tolerate any mistreatment in the process of installation, and even the slightest nick or kink will cause likely breaking of the conductor in time; it is far less forgiving of rough treatment than copper. I would never recommend it for use in any application other than heavy industrial installations.

Now to address the idea that there is some sort of "money grab" or conspiracy afoot among Electrical Contractors and others - **** ****! Any contractor worth his salt will never recommend unnecessary work just to make more money. Personally, I have been called to clean up and repair the aftermath of too many electrical fires, and seen the damage, both material and emotional that they brought. When I bid a job, and the Generals that I worked for understood and made accommodation for it in their bidding process that if I thought there was danger of an electrical (or any other kind of) fire due to some earlier work, I would either be allowed to fix it and make it safe, even if that meant rewiring the whole place, or I would stop the job. They trusted my judgement, and I never cheated them. It is an insult to all of the good, hardworking, decent Contractors and Electricians out there to suggest otherwise.
.

 

[jeff000]

I have used alumicon connectors quite a bit. They use a setscrew and are great to work with.
http://www.kinginnovation.com/products/20/3-port-alumiconn

This is what I have used in the past, although no insurance will cover a house with aluminium wiring around here against fire.

 

[rockwithjason]

aluminum is all about the prep work. I have had good luck with the purple twisters but my prep work goes farther than most. I use some fine sand paper to remove the oxide coating and then immediately dip the wire in nolox, then I make up as usual. I have never had a call back on one that I have done this way.