Aluminum Wiring Repair

"An estimated 2 million homes were built with aluminum wire between 1965 and the mid to late 70's. These homes are "55 times more likely to have one or more connections reach FIRE HAZARD CONDITION than is a home wired with copper." - The United Stated Consumer Product Safety Commission, CPSC

Signs of trouble in aluminum wire systems include:

• Cover plates on outlets or switches that are warm-to-the-touch
• Flickering lights
• Circuits that don’t work, or work intermittently
• The smell of burning plastic at outlets, switches, or lighting
• Smoking outlets, switches, or lighting
• Tripping circuit breakers, for no apparent reason
• Unusual static on the radio or TV

The CPSC recommends only two solutions. Replace the aluminum wire with copper or installing COPALUM connectors. Replacing the wire with copper can be difficult and is most often cost prohibited. COPALUM is the only system recognized by CPSC other than complete rewiring that provides a complete and permanent repair and reduces the fire hazard in aluminum wire circuits.

The choice is simple using COPALUM connectors is the least cost method of fixing the problem. The COPALUM connector system attaches a copper wire to the old aluminum wires and is then crimped together with a power tool, achieving a "cold weld" between the conductors. The "cold weld" creates a permanent bond that eliminates electrical arcing or glowing connections and creates a safer electrical connection at outlets, switches, lights, circuit breakers, and panelboard terminals.

The COPALUM connector repair materials and power crimping tools are only available from a TYCO AMP Certified provider. Daniels Electric is a Certified provider.

Download U.S. Consumer Products Safety Commission brochure (.pdf)

Call us today.