Pig Tailing AL to Copper

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Pig Tailing AL to Copper

#178562 06/04/08 04:07 PM

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 1,158

kamloops BC Canada

dougwells

OP

Member

I get many calls from customers thinking we can just pig tail copper onto aluminum with the proper # 63 marrette. I have always thought it was best to replace the devices with c0/alr devices but i havent seen these in Decora.

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Re: Pig Tailing AL to Copper

dougwells #178564 06/04/08 05:51 PM

Joined: Jan 2006

Posts: 558

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

R

Rewired

Member

I dont think there is such an animal as a CO/ALR rated decora device..
A.D

Re: Pig Tailing AL to Copper

Rewired #178593 06/05/08 10:54 PM

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 31

london, ont, canada

M

marsbar

Member

Yes I have some on order through Westburn Ruddy, they are purple, chemically treated and allow for different expansion rates or so the sales promo tells me. I thought the was a marrett with a copper tail that was allowed for AL wired homes. I have seen a few homes with AL/CU mixed and was looking for the best way (penetrox and an 833 with a piece of CU takes up space)to help these people out.

Re: Pig Tailing AL to Copper

marsbar #178594 06/05/08 10:57 PM

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 31

london, ont, canada

M

marsbar

Member

Sorry, I should have read the question better and I have not seen a AL Decora device.

Re: Pig Tailing AL to Copper

dougwells #178618 06/06/08 04:31 PM

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 200

Salt Spring, BC, Canada

U

u2slow

Member

Has anyone seen a Cu/AL pigtail (well-twisted and w/compound) go bad?

I'm curious because to me it seems like as good - or better - a connection than #12 AL wrapped on the screw terminal. Then you don't need to keep AL-rated devices in the truck.

Re: Pig Tailing AL to Copper

u2slow #178628 06/06/08 09:53 PM

Joined: Mar 2004

Posts: 947

Regina, Sask.

T

twh

Member

I haven't seen many cu/al connections, at all. Has anyone seen a cu/al connection last for 10 or 20 years?

Re: Pig Tailing AL to Copper

twh #178732 06/10/08 11:08 AM

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 31

london, ont, canada

M

marsbar

Member

Please correct me but isn't that the problem: 10-20 years of mixed metals causing corrosion and heat? I understand that Penetrox should be redone every 5 years (but they say the fixture should be replaced every 5 years)

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Re: Pig Tailing AL to Copper

twh #178736 06/10/08 02:55 PM

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 22

NH

H

Hendrix

Junior Member

what about split bolts?

Re: Pig Tailing AL to Copper

Hendrix #178738 06/10/08 03:31 PM

Joined: Nov 2007

Posts: 764

MA, USA

K

KJay

Member

I know the OP and most of the other posters in this thread are from the great white north, but wanted to chime in anyway.
Last year I switched to the connectors below after learning some unsavory info about those purple wirenuts.
These are listed for CU and AL wires. The only thing is that you will need to buy and use a torque-limiting screwdriver to install them for UL/CSA listing compliance. They can also fill up a device box quickly if you have several splices to make.
The company sent a free sample connector before I purchased in quantity.

Here is the product link. http://www.alcopstore.com/

Re: Pig Tailing AL to Copper

KJay #178739 06/10/08 04:18 PM

Joined: May 2003

Posts: 1,158

kamloops BC Canada

dougwells

OP

Member

Originally Posted by KJay

I know the OP and most of the other posters in this thread are from the great white north, but wanted to chime in anyway.
Last year I switched to the connectors below after learning some unsavory info about those purple wirenuts.
These are listed for CU and AL wires. The only thing is that you will need to buy and use a torque-limiting screwdriver to install them for UL/CSA listing compliance. They can also fill up a device box quickly if you have several splices to make.
The company sent a free sample connector before I purchased in quantity.

Here is the product link. http://www.alcopstore.com/

I got the sample also but i have not found a Canadian supplier for them yet

I have a stock of these i use for now.

http://www.tnb-canada.com/en/catalogues/online/comresconstruction/pdf/c5/09_marrcat_e.pdf