Aluminum Wire Re-termination

[Jim Luttrall]

Does anyone have any information on the availability of aluminum wire re-termination repairs in the Dallas area?
I have old information from Slocum Electric (now Sanders, I think) but the reports I get through my past clients is that no one is using this process (Copalum) and in the absence of functioning Aluminum wiring repair specialist the electricians seem to be using standard wire nuts to apply a pig tail and not even using anti-oxidant paste in most cases.

Any information specific to the Dallas or even Texas area would be appreciated. First hand knowledge is even better!

[David Swartz]

Take a look at the Alumiconn connector system. It is CPSC approved and a local COPALUM installer in my area has gone to these. Check out AlumiConn Aluminum to Copper Electrical Connectors (http://www.alcopstore.com/)

[Jim Luttrall]

Thanks David, I found these in another thread here last night and they look to be viable although I have not researched the listing, etc.

[brianmiller]

Two questions:

For aluminum to aluminum pig tail connections , I saw standard NM wire nut connector used that is rated for copper on a house I inspected yesterday. Is there a special aluminum to aluminum wire nut connectors that needs to be used or can you use the copper wire nuts?

I went to Lowe's/Home Depot, all they had was the purple Aluminum to Copper connector or the standard copper wire nut connectors.

Brian

[Jim Port]

The purple Ideal twist-on connectors are only listed for AL to CU, not AL to Al.

Any connector used must be listed for use with the conductor materials. Typical wire nuts are not listed for use with AL.

[brianmiller]

thanks jim,

now, where would one find an AL-AL connector, Lowe's / Home Depot doesn't have 'em!

b

[Jim Port]

The Alumi-conn from King innovations can do AL to AL. They are like a terminal bar arrangement.

You could also use a split bolt or a Polaris style connector, although you will have a hard time fitting them in the device box.

[Bill Kriegh]

thanks jim,

now, where would one find an AL-AL connector, Lowe's / Home Depot doesn't have 'em!

b

Many of the electrical supply houses around here have then in stock. Big box stores here used to handle them then quit as people didn't know what they were.

They beat Copalum prices by a substantial margin. They DO require a torque screwdriver for a listed installation - but then a good contractor would have those anyway ;)