if you replace switches/outletsany electric fixture, MAKE SURE YOU GET ONES THT ARE SAFE FOR USE WITH ALUMINUM. They will be marked with Al/CU (I think) usually if you can use them on either.
If you use a regular outlet, for instance, the part of the outlet where you connect the hot wires is made out of copper, an can oxidize just like connecting copper wires to aluminum. Your alternative would be to attach a copper "jumper" to the outlet, and then use the "special wire nuts", or just squirt some dielectric grease into a regular wire nut to connect the jumper to the aluminum wiring. Your best bet is to just use the appropriate aluminum compatible fixtures. Failing to do so is how fires start.
I too am in the aluminum is ok corner. It is actually a better conductor at high voltage. As long as your connections are good there is not problem. Its true that over time aluminum connections can become brittle but perodic checking and reconnecting is all it takes. i
Thanks for the feedback guys.
if you replace switches/outletsany electric fixture, MAKE SURE YOU GET ONES THT ARE SAFE FOR USE WITH ALUMINUM. They will be marked with Al/CU (I think) usually if you can use them on either.
If you use a regular outlet, for instance, the part of the outlet where you connect the hot wires is made out of copper, an can oxidize just like connecting copper wires to aluminum. Your alternative would be to attach a copper "jumper" to the outlet, and then use the "special wire nuts", or just squirt some dielectric grease into a regular wire nut to connect the jumper to the aluminum wiring. Your best bet is to just use the appropriate aluminum compatible fixtures. Failing to do so is how fires start.
Thanks for the info joblow and Yank. Food for thought.
I too am in the aluminum is ok corner. It is actually a better conductor at high voltage. As long as your connections are good there is not problem. Its true that over time aluminum connections can become brittle but perodic checking and reconnecting is all it takes. i
Thanks NC, the question was actually asked for a friend. They bought the house.