Aluminum wiring with AFCI breakers

[Michael Vasquez]

Inspected this house today and the seller has had the sub panel (15 and 20 amp circuits) replaced and the new panel now has every circuit on AFCI breakers. House is wired with aluminum wire. Will this panel be protecting all aluminum circuits throughout the house properly? I have never seen this before.

Also, some of the older receptacles were not CO/ALR and the aluminum wires have been pigtailed with copper using lavender wire connectors. I now these connectors are not quite safe and other type of connectors are recommended. What would be the best way to report on this?

Thank You

[Jerry Peck]

That is one of the original intended uses for AFCI breakers.

[Matthew Barnicle]

Sounds like that is about the best they can do if they are keeping the original aluminum branch circuits. Don't know much about the lavender connectors but I believe they are designed for this purpose, no?

[James Duffin]

That is one of the original intended uses for AFCI breakers.

Jerry...

Where can I find info on that? I did four townhouses in the past two weeks that had aluminum wiring. I would love to be able to give this option as a repair. I advise against the pigtail fix.

[Jerry Peck]

Check on the CPSC site, they should have something on there about AFCIs and the reason they came about, I think I read something on their site about that.

[James Duffin]

That is one of the original intended uses for AFCI breakers.

Thanks...I've haven't been there is a while so I'll check for new info. I'll let you know what I find.

[Jerry Peck]

Thanks...I've haven't been there is a while so I'll check for new info. I'll let you know what I find.


James,

I believe it was a couple of years ago or so.

[Jerry Peck]

CPSC, ESFI Warn Consumers About Electrical Hazards In The Home "Inspect and Protect!" Campaign Encourages Homeowners to Safeguard Homes (http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml03/03144.html)

(underlining is mine - maybe I just added 2+2+2 and got 6)
"This summer, CPSC and ESFI are encouraging homeowners to: 1) have an electrical inspection conducted for homes 40 years and older, for homes 10 years and older with major renovations or new appliances added, or that have been resold; 2) learn the potential hazards posed by aluminum wiring systems and contact CPSC if your home is among the two million built with aluminum wiring between the late 1960s and early 1970s; and 3) consider installing arc fault circuit interrupters in place of ordinary circuit breakers, especially if your home is over 40 years old. AFCIs are new technology designed to prevent electrical fires by sensing unseen electrical arcing. AFCIs are particularly important where wiring may have degraded with age."

http://www.cpsc.gov/LIBRARY/FOIA/FOIA03/os/AFCImeeting.pdf

Slide on page 22 of 38, Enhanced Protection, Currently available AFCIs provide protection beyond standard breakers and fuses: aluminum wiring (then other things listed)