ECN Forum Forums General Topics of the Trade General Discussion Area Aluminum wiring

Is aluminum wire legal at all? Since they quit using it in the 70's, it was still used after for panels, ranges, and such. Why would it be allowed for that with all the problems they had with it and still do. I have done so many loose connection repairs over the years with aluminum. Is it less likly with the larger sizes to cause problems, I wouldn't think so.. Can you still buy it?
I always buy copper, haven't checked if aluminum is still sold in the larger sizes.

Yeah you can still get it. Haven't seen it in anything smaller than #6, but its still there. Its also not your grandfathers aluminum, I believe they changed the alloy contents sometime ago, so its not as reactive.

I believe you can still get 8 AWG in AL around here.

AL is still used extensively in residential construction for the service entrance conductors, range feeds, sub panel feeders etc.

You will also find it used in large sizes 500, 600, 750 KKcmil for some commercial work that is on a tight budget.

We use AL SER for our temp feeders on job sites.

The power company uses AL almost exclusively.

As e57 said todays AL is a different alloy then before and it is a fine conductor when the terminations are made correctly.

As far as the NEC is concerned you can still run 12 and 10 AWG AL although I do not know if anyone makes it.

Bob

Still in wide use in Canada - in ACWU cable for feeders in commercial and highrise.

Our Poco (BC Hydro) uses aluminum triplex for nearly all overhead services.

Qoute:

Still in wide use in Canada - in ACWU cable for feeders in commercial and highrise

can you please explain what is ACWU mean ?? so we can understand what it mean


Merci, Marc

P.S. almost no manufacter in usa dont make alum wire this small most are #8 or larger