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#39136 06/10/04 02:53 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 241
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SJT Offline OP
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Hello,
I'll be buying a new house soon, and would you believe that it's wired in Aluminum? The present owner told me, Oh, I had it pigtailed. I told him, that the Al. is history. The first thing after I open the front door and become a new happy homeowner will be to start to re wire with copper. Should be intresting, but fun, working on my own place.

#39137 06/10/04 11:06 PM
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 1,438
Member
A new house with aluminum branch circuits?? I've come across a few newer homes where some of the larger stuff (range, sub-panels, etc.) will be wired with aluminum.. But I've yet to see a house newer than the early 80's with aluminum for branch circuit wiring! [Linked Image]

-Randy

#39138 06/11/04 02:53 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 241
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SJT Offline OP
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What I meant was I'll be moving from one house to another. I'm sorry if you thought I meant Brand new. This new house was built in 1974.

#39139 06/11/04 09:36 PM
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,527
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Moderator
Seems like 30-year old aluminum branch-circuit wiring could be a major bargaining chip in price negotiation.

It's also probably the extra-funky "old" 1350-alloy wiring.

It may pay to be triple-extra-cautious about any circuit loading until you knew exactly what to expect in the house.

#39140 06/14/04 04:17 PM
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 349
Member
I'll second that last item. Pigtails or no, you can bet on some loose connections in the branch circuit wiring.

Radar


There are 10 types of people. Those who know binary, and those who don't.
#39141 06/14/04 06:03 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 289
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See the needed reinstallation that way - you can always trust the stuff most that you installed yourself.

#39142 06/14/04 07:00 PM
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,143
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Member
I hope it's all conduit...

Please tell me it's conduit...

#39143 06/15/04 03:02 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 241
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It should be a lot of fun, to re-wire my own place. I have a son who is a young teenager, and I want to introduce him to the trade. I hope he takes to it, and if not he'll have a good trade to fall back on. It will be a good renovation to start on.

#39144 06/16/04 01:29 AM
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 794
Likes: 3
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I've heard that there exists a special crimp-on pigtail designed for aluminium wire. Requires a special tool and training. Heard that it works well. Also there's special wirenuts, but have heard that they do not work well at all.

http://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum.htm describes it better than I can.

#39145 06/16/04 02:56 PM
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 241
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If the alum. wiring was to stay in the walls, like that of a customer, I would use the devices that are designed for Alum. wiring. Switches, and outlets. If I had to extend any conductors for splicing purposes, I would use the approved wirenut with the penetrox inside.


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