hwy17
Anti-Solar Enthusiast
It was never pulled from the NEC. They added a rule to use a better alloy.The other issue with Al wiring, and one of the big reasons it was pulled from the NEC for indoor circuits
It was never pulled from the NEC. They added a rule to use a better alloy.The other issue with Al wiring, and one of the big reasons it was pulled from the NEC for indoor circuits
But where would you get the small yoke devices and splicing doodads for use with Aluminum? Prior to CCA.It was never pulled from the NEC. They added a rule to use a better alloy.
I'm guessing AL devices and splices were more common in the era when it was popular.But where would you get the small yoke devices and splicing doodads for use with Aluminum? Prior to CCA.
CCA is a fine alternative to aluminum wire. It meets all NEC codes, and as long as it is sized as ALUMINUM, not copper ampacity, it works great.Aluminum wire or copper wire. Just no copper clad aluminum wire. History has shown why that is a bad idea. Amazing that the idea has came back around after so many electrical fires were caused by CCA.
I'm guessing AL devices and splices were more common in the era when it was popular.
No question that the drop out of popularity and industry support has made it a non option for now. Small aluminum wire isn't even cheaper than copper now, it's a hard to find specialty product for anti theft use in construction.
Aluminum doesn't seem worth the extra trouble for a small cost savinga, at least for somebody not in the trade. I'm sure I can be done correctly, but for me saving money on wire is not worth the tradeoff of worrying.
Is it far more fragile when rewiring? Yup… best used as a one run, rip out if changes are needed.
Copper and aluminum have different properties and respond differently to how they carry electrical loads. It is just unsafe to clad aluminum with copper pretending you have a solid copper conductor and than use that as a basis for rating it. So no it is not a fine alternative to either copper or aluminum wire. Does it work? Yes but a lot of stuff works that in hindsight you wish you avoided.CCA is a fine alternative to aluminum wire. It meets all NEC codes, and as long as it is sized as ALUMINUM, not copper ampacity, it works great.
My condo was built in the early 80’s, 100% aluminum and CCA throughout. And aside from some Sheetrock issues, has been flawless…
Is it far more fragile when rewiring? Yup… best used as a one run, rip out if changes are needed.
Wire nuts cut through the copper plate, so, mucking about is unwise…
I actually did a walkthrough in a major CCA plant
I think there's gotta be some aluminum somehow. Aluminum clad steel if that existed or aluminum wrapped around steel.Wrapped around steel messenger wire (do they really use steel for neutral? Didn't look like there was another metal there.)
The aluminum neutral wire drops from poles have a steel wire twisted into the aluminum bundle for strength, to reduce stretching…I think there's gotta be some aluminum somehow. Aluminum clad steel if that existed or aluminum wrapped around steel.
I remember those days. All aluminum wire with a Federal Pacific stab lock breakers that wouldn't trip! Fire waiting to happenOh yeah, if there isn’t extra conductor length in the box to replace an outlet, it’s no fun.
And no way I would use a wago on the wire. It is like dealing with tinsel strength wise.
Just fine for ovens and dryers where #8 is the minimum size, but working with #12 or god forbid #14(which should be illegal!) manipulating the wires is like wet clay, there is no rigidity to it, no plasticity.
It is like working with a bent paperclip, the wire just brakes when you twist it, it breaks if it is wrapped around a screw, it breaks when you twist too hard with a wire nut…
I have several worn out receptacles in the house, and we just don’t use those outlets. Replacing them requires 15$ outlets with screw plates. Just too fragile to wrap around the screw, and get it tight.
CCA is fine when installed… it is just a pain if disturbed.
A far cry better than the straight aluminum from the 70’s that burned down all the homes.
I also frequently run into houses from then that still have aluminum wiring throughout. Likely still standing because of all the cfl and LED lighting reducing the ampdraw through them…
Or would just loosen up and fall out...I remember those days. All aluminum wire with a Federal Pacific stab lock breakers that wouldn't trip! Fire waiting to happen
As I once said in one of my videos, "Some people buy $8 coffee's and some buy copper".The timeless debate whether aluminum is good or bad. Of course old aluminum we all know is bad but newer alloys are supposedly not. The feeder lines in my house and all my main panels for my attached . The feeder lines in my house are aluminum.
Is there any specific reason I should not use aluminum wire of the appropriate gauge (which is bigger than copper And it's cheap enough that I could even go an extra gauge above that to prevent thermal expansion from being too much) for the main run from the solar panels combiner box to the inverter box?
If this is possible are there any extra precautions to take besides the special grease that prevents oxidation. Can I not crimp onto aluminum must it feed directly into the aluminum rated breaker? I see most people crimp on little tabs on the end of copper wire Just curious if it is different for aluminum I have not seen that anywhere.
Nice setupAs I once said in one of my videos, "Some people buy $8 coffee's and some buy copper".
Entrance cable, I might use aluminum. Anything else is copper. Even the plumbing in my house and shop are copper. The airlines in my shop are 1 inch copper.
This is the shop heating system, more copper. I love copper.
View attachment 210460
Copper is great for boilers and plumbing.As I once said in one of my videos, "Some people buy $8 coffee's and some buy copper".
Entrance cable, I might use aluminum. Anything else is copper. Even the plumbing in my house and shop are copper. The airlines in my shop are 1 inch copper.
This is the shop heating system, more copper. I love copper.
View attachment 210460