Should I Get My Aluminum Wiring Updated?

Once popular for its cost savings, aluminum wiring in a house presents several risks that shouldn’t be overlooked. Understanding the potential hazards and warning signs of aluminum wiring can help inform your choices for rewiring upgrades, improving the safety and reliability of your California home’s electrical system.

Aluminum wiring was installed in about two million homes built between 1965 and 1973 as a cost-effective alternative to copper wiring. Even with material upgrades, aluminum lost preference mainly because of its increased risk of overheating, arcing, and electrical fires. It’s rare in new homes today, but homeowners may still occasionally discover aluminum wiring. 

Although it’s less costly than copper, aluminum wiring doesn’t have the same tensile strength or longevity. At best, the limited durability of aluminum wiring means it’s more likely to need repair or replacement and as such offers a less advantageous return on investment than copper. It’s also less conductive than copper, and this electrical resistance contributes to overheating risk.

Aluminum wiring has a higher coefficient of thermal expansion and therefore expands and contracts more than copper, which loosens connections at outlets, switches, and junctions. These loose connections have a greater risk of overheating as they build resistance, leading to further expansion and contraction in a cycle of damage. Aluminum also has a high oxygen affinity, making it more likely to oxidize and deteriorate wiring connections. In turn, corroded connections increase electrical resistance and the degree of expansion and contraction. 

In addition to electrical fire hazards, aluminum wiring carries several other drawbacks. These include:

• Increased inspection and maintenance needs
• Reduced property value
• Insurance complications, such as higher fees or upgrade requirements

Is aluminum wiring dangerous?

Aluminum wiring has a higher risk of overheating and electrical fires than copper, but that doesn’t mean it poses immediate danger. When properly installed and maintained, aluminum wiring is relatively safe. 

According to the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission, however, homes built with aluminum wiring before 1972 are 55 times more likely to have at least one wire connection deemed a fire hazard than homes wired with copper. Furthermore, this survey only covers outlet connections and doesn’t reflect problematic connections possibly hidden at switches, junctions, and other locations.

In short, it’s worth scheduling an inspection for your aluminum wiring at the very least. Your electrician can assess your aluminum wiring’s safety and recommend upgrade or rewiring options.

Knowing the signs of faulty aluminum wiring gives you a chance to contact an electrician promptly for inspection and repair before disaster strikes. Indicators of bad wiring include:

• Frequent breaker trips: Persistently tripping breakers or blown fuses suggests overloaded wiring or poor connections.

• Warm outlets and switches: Outlets and switches that are warm or hot to the touch indicate overheating.

• Discoloration: Scorch marks, discoloration, or melted outlets or switches signal a fire hazard and should be urgently inspected.

• Strange sounds: Buzzing, wiring, or other unusual sounds may be a sign of electrical arcing or damaged connections.

• Flickering lights: Poor connections can cause flickering or dimming lights, even if you replace the bulb.

• Sparks or shocks: Faulty wiring can cause sparks from outlets or mild shocks from connected devices.

If you’re unsure whether you have aluminum wiring, check your electrical panel or unfinished areas with exposed wiring. Aluminum wiring should have markings on the plastic wiring jacket for easy identification.

Although you can check for aluminum wiring where it’s easily accessible, leave thorough inspections to a licensed electrician. Likewise, don’t attempt DIY fixes — they can be risky and won’t solve underlying aluminum wiring problems. Electrical work involves potential hazards that require certified knowledge, skills, and tools to ensure safety and compliance with local electrical codes.

Regular inspections from a licensed electrician are the best precaution against hazards associated with aluminum wiring. They also provide recommendations to upgrade your wiring and further protect against electrical fires, such as using approved wiring connectors or ensuring proper installation for current wiring or copper rewiring.

Aluminum wiring may require upgrade or replacement to mitigate electrical fire risks. In some cases, insurance companies require a signed certificate from a licensed electrician or authority to prove a house has approved copper wiring. They may refuse to issue a policy if the wiring is outdated.

To reduce fire risks, insurance issues, and other challenges, there are two main options for upgrading your aluminum wiring.

Whole-home rewiring

Rewiring your home with copper permanently resolves safety issues associated with aluminum wiring. Aluminum wiring replacement is an investment, but it’s the safest option. Plus, rewiring your home can provide immediate returns by increasing your property value.

Pigtail connections

Pigtailed connection methods involve connecting aluminum wiring to a short splice of copper wiring using a specialized wire nut or connector. This method is an alternative to full rewiring and doesn’t require as much labor or overall disruption. It reduces the risk of overheating and fire from poor connections, but it’s a temporary solution until a full rewiring is possible.

At Express Electrical, we understand homeowner concerns about aluminum wiring. Our team of licensed electricians has the expertise and tools necessary for safely handling aluminum wiring. Our customers in California can take advantage of:

• Comprehensive inspections: Thorough inspections assess your wiring’s condition and identify the best repair or upgrade strategy.

• Code-compliant upgrades: Whether full or partial rewiring, our workmanship ensures compliance with electrical code and safety standards.

• Code-compliant upgrades: Rely on our team for rapid and reliable response to urgent wiring or other electrical concerns.

Serving Los Angeles, Santa Ana, Riverside, and other Southern California areas, Express Electrical is the trusted provider for electrical troubleshooting, repair, and installation. Over 2,000 five-star reviews can attest to our commitment to safety-focused, reliable, and high-quality services. Contact us or book online to schedule a visit with our team.