ECN Forum Forums Photo Discussion Forums Violation Photo Forum Old GEC Method (1960's?)

Sometimes I see the water main pipe grounded near the slop sink in the laundry room. I was once told that that was the way they used to do it, back in the "old days." But I have never seen aluminum soldered to the copper water main.

I thought it wasn't even possible to solder aluminum.

Oh, it can be done, the trick is to get the oxide off the aluminum and solder coating the freshly exposed metal without the air getting at it first. Puddle molten solder atop the aluminium, use the soldering iron tip to scrape the aluminum under the molten solder, and it should wet. Check that you really did get the solder on the aluminum and not a rosin glue joint, tug on it and a rosin glue joint will pull apart. Conclude that this process is likely too much a PITA to ever put to use on a job.

That must be why all the electrical textbooks say it can't be done. I mean, if I can do it, given that I will actually read the manual and practice it five times or whatever, but apprentice #16 who was too busy partying last night... yeah, I get it!