Just curious if anybody knows the reasoning behind the manufacture of that stuff ? Was it just because it was cheaper or was there a cooper shortage for a period of time ?
NM aluminum wire
- Thread starter NUTTSGT
- Start date
Mustang51js
Well-known member
I believe that was the reason,money just like everything else
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Google is your friend:
Searched for: history of nm aluminum wire
First hit:
http://gcedestin.com/destin-electrician-gcedestin-aluminum-wiring.pdf
Searched for: history of nm aluminum wire
First hit:
http://gcedestin.com/destin-electrician-gcedestin-aluminum-wiring.pdf
OP
I use Google allthe time but I find many of the members here very knowledgableable and would rather hear it from them than some random place on the 'net sometimes. Besides, I know somebody will chime in with an interesting story.
First, a little history about aluminum wiring: During the mid 60’s and into the mid
70’s and throughout the Vietnam War era, copper was at an all time high price
level, which made it cost prohibitive for use in residential wiring. (Actually, it was
nowhere near as expensive as it is today.) Copper mining and processing was
not what it is today, production could not keep up with demand, and the copper
was being bought up at a rapid pace to provide jacketing for ballistics in the
military and for other military purposes. People in the home building industry
were looking for an alternative product that could be used safely for residential
wiring and it was determined that aluminum would suffice, if it was installed
correctly. Underwriters Laboratories had previously approved aluminum for
interior wiring purposes as early as 1945. Of course there were some issues that
needed to be considered by the industry if we were going to use aluminum for
circuits in homes. It was much softer than copper wiring, it couldn’t withstand as
much stress when it was being pulled, it was subject to breaking if it was nicked
and bent at radical angles, and it had to be at least one wire gauge larger than
copper for each current rating. But, despite all of the downfalls of aluminum, it
was much cheaper to use at the time and it would have been an acceptable
product for the purpose if it were installed correctly. Not much emphasis was put
on aluminum wiring’s creep rating (rate of expansion and contraction) and very
little information was disseminated to the end user’s about the proper installation
of aluminum wiring. Builders and electrical contractors were just happy to have a
cheaper product to use that would enable them to continue building. During that
time there was widespread use of 12 AWG and 10 AWG type NM-C sheathed
aluminum cable in the interior wiring of homes. Local building inspection
departments and code enforcement agencies were very scarce during this era
and probably had even less information than the electrical contractors did about
the installation of aluminum wire.
70’s and throughout the Vietnam War era, copper was at an all time high price
level, which made it cost prohibitive for use in residential wiring. (Actually, it was
nowhere near as expensive as it is today.) Copper mining and processing was
not what it is today, production could not keep up with demand, and the copper
was being bought up at a rapid pace to provide jacketing for ballistics in the
military and for other military purposes. People in the home building industry
were looking for an alternative product that could be used safely for residential
wiring and it was determined that aluminum would suffice, if it was installed
correctly. Underwriters Laboratories had previously approved aluminum for
interior wiring purposes as early as 1945. Of course there were some issues that
needed to be considered by the industry if we were going to use aluminum for
circuits in homes. It was much softer than copper wiring, it couldn’t withstand as
much stress when it was being pulled, it was subject to breaking if it was nicked
and bent at radical angles, and it had to be at least one wire gauge larger than
copper for each current rating. But, despite all of the downfalls of aluminum, it
was much cheaper to use at the time and it would have been an acceptable
product for the purpose if it were installed correctly. Not much emphasis was put
on aluminum wiring’s creep rating (rate of expansion and contraction) and very
little information was disseminated to the end user’s about the proper installation
of aluminum wiring. Builders and electrical contractors were just happy to have a
cheaper product to use that would enable them to continue building. During that
time there was widespread use of 12 AWG and 10 AWG type NM-C sheathed
aluminum cable in the interior wiring of homes. Local building inspection
departments and code enforcement agencies were very scarce during this era
and probably had even less information than the electrical contractors did about
the installation of aluminum wire.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
I knew the history and couldve typed it up but i was just too lazy to type a long story on my iPhone's keyboard...
OP
Too lazy ?
I never thought of the Vietnam War causing a shortage or driving the price up.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Too lazy ?
I never thought of the Vietnam War causing a shortage or driving the price up.
Yup! U try typing with 2 fingers on a small keyboard!
When I use my iPhone keyboard, prefer to keep it really short 'cause of
Fat Finger Syndrome.
wyliesdiesels
Well-known member
Thats exactly what Im talking about...The majority of my posts are done with my iPhone...major PITA
Last edited:
OP
BDT/NWMN
Well-known member
I'll pass and stick with my flip phone.
I hate my stupid new smart phone..... I'm going to be smart and go back to a dumb old flip phone..