Aluminum Wiring in Homes: Safety Guide

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If your home was built 1965-1973, you should read this

What is aluminum wiring?

During a copper shortage in the mid-1960s through early 1970s, builders used aluminum wiring as a cheaper alternative for branch circuits (the wires that go to outlets and switches). Approximately 2 million homes in the United States were wired with aluminum branch circuit wiring during this period. Aluminum wiring itself isn't inherently dangerous — it's still used for large-gauge applications like service entrances. The problem is specifically with small-gauge aluminum wiring connected to devices (outlets, switches) designed for copper.

Why it's a concern

Aluminum and copper expand and contract at different rates when heated. When aluminum wire is connected to a copper-rated device, the repeated heating/cooling cycles during normal use can cause the connection to loosen over time. Loose connections generate heat, and that heat can ignite surrounding materials. The CPSC found that homes with aluminum wiring are 55 times more likely to have a connection reach fire-hazard conditions than homes with copper wiring.

How to identify aluminum wiring

Look at the wiring visible in your electrical panel or at an outlet you remove the cover plate from. Aluminum wire is silver-colored (copper is orange/brown). The wire jacket may be printed with 'AL' or 'ALUMINUM.' If your home was built between 1965 and 1973, there's a reasonable chance it has aluminum wiring, though not all homes from this era do.

Solutions

Complete rewiring is the most thorough solution but also the most expensive ($8,000-$15,000+ for a typical home). COPALUM crimps are the recommended repair method — a special connector that creates a reliable aluminum-to-copper junction at each outlet, switch, and junction box. This must be done by a certified installer. AlumiConn connectors are an acceptable alternative that a licensed electrician can install. Both methods address the connection issue without rewiring the entire home.

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