I am currently attempting to replace a bad circuit breaker (15 amp) What are the procedures besides throwing the main breaker off. Also, The receptacle in the living room was short circuited. The aluminum wire is burnt. Can I put copper wire on the aluminum wire. Thank you for any advice..
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there are special interconnectors that isolate the copper from aluminum, but alum wiring in homes is DANGEROUS. The main service into the home might be aluminum but must be isolated from copper. This is NOT a job for a DIY'er that doesn't know about this subject, PLEASE contact a licensed experienced electrician, friend.
There was a brief time about 25-30 years ago when aluminum wire was used to wire homes it didn't last long, as there were hundreds of lawsuits as those homes were prone to burn down. Most every electrician will advise you to remove/replace ALL aluminum wire in your home INCLUDING your main. Aluminum is prone to oxidation and arc faults and a host of other problems are therefore highly likely, its a nightmare waiting to happen for you. Sorry to sound so alarmist, but it is an alarming situation, especially that you ask about connecting this nasty stuff to copper (a major no-no to directly connect).
There are all kinds of safety issues involved here too numerous for me to mention, and I'm frankly NOT qualified to be assured I'd mention them ALL.
There was a brief time about 25-30 years ago when aluminum wire was used to wire homes it didn't last long, as there were hundreds of lawsuits as those homes were prone to burn down. Most every electrician will advise you to remove/replace ALL aluminum wire in your home INCLUDING your main. Aluminum is prone to oxidation and arc faults and a host of other problems are therefore highly likely, its a nightmare waiting to happen for you. Sorry to sound so alarmist, but it is an alarming situation, especially that you ask about connecting this nasty stuff to copper (a major no-no to directly connect).
There are all kinds of safety issues involved here too numerous for me to mention, and I'm frankly NOT qualified to be assured I'd mention them ALL.
Hi,
I can't stress strongly enough that if you are having any electrical problems and you have aluminum wiring, hire a professional. This is no DIY task. Because of it's properties, aluminum wiring terminations must be done properly. There are approved methods and only those should be used. I have been in this business for over 25 years and I have seen the method change no less than three times.
Aluminum, unlike copper, has no tolerance for sloppy work. Most of the problems I have seen over the years was caused by careless connections. A splice not tight enough or a screw not tight enough, nicked wires, etc. A word to the wise if you have aluminum wiring. If you have any unusual things happening like blinking or flashing lights, receptacles or switches that work and then don't, DO NOT LET IT GO! Call an electrician right away. Problems like this get progressively worse and can get that way real fast. Make sure you have working smoke detectors.
I can't stress strongly enough that if you are having any electrical problems and you have aluminum wiring, hire a professional. This is no DIY task. Because of it's properties, aluminum wiring terminations must be done properly. There are approved methods and only those should be used. I have been in this business for over 25 years and I have seen the method change no less than three times.
Aluminum, unlike copper, has no tolerance for sloppy work. Most of the problems I have seen over the years was caused by careless connections. A splice not tight enough or a screw not tight enough, nicked wires, etc. A word to the wise if you have aluminum wiring. If you have any unusual things happening like blinking or flashing lights, receptacles or switches that work and then don't, DO NOT LET IT GO! Call an electrician right away. Problems like this get progressively worse and can get that way real fast. Make sure you have working smoke detectors.
