Jeff Shields RE/MAX Anchor Realty serving Qualicum Beach, Parksville, French Creek, Coombs of the Oceanside area on Vancouver Island British Columbia

Jeffery Shields - REALTOR

RE/MAX Anchor Realty
(Independently Owned and Operated)
113 West 2nd Avenue, PO Box 1890
Qualicum Beach, BC V9K 1T5 Canada
Cell: 250-240-5021
Bus: 250-752-2466
Fax: 250-752-2433
Toll Free: 800-668-3622

Aluminium wiring

Residential Installations

Aluminium wiring was extensively used in homes between 1965 and 1976. Problems have been reported from the overheating and failure of aluminium wiring terminals resulting in insurance concerns.

The signs of these problems are:

Although not all aluminium wiring is hazardous, the safety issues with aluminium wire usually involve the 110-volt circuits used for outlets and lights. In some cases connections worked loose and the wire overheated, which sometimes caused a fire. Consequently, the use of 110-volt aluminium wiring was abandoned, and older homes with this type of wiring typically warrant upgrades at connection points or junction boxes.

The use of aluminium wiring is common and acceptable for 220-volt circuits, provided the connected device is rated for aluminium wire. Heating equipment, air conditioners, clothes dryers and electric stoves are examples of acceptable hardware.

As long as the wire ends are protected with a corrosion resistant compound, concern over the presence of aluminium wire may not be justified. In fact, the majority of electric utility companies use aluminium cable for their main service lines. In all likelihood, the power lines coming to your home are aluminium.

What to do

To confirm the safety of the aluminium wire in a home you may be purchasing, have a home inspector and electrician meet at the property to confer and to compare findings. It is recommended that a qualified electrical contractor inspect the electrical system, including all connections. The insurance company may insist on a complete electrical inspection by a certified electrician, rather than a report from a home inspector.

Source: CREA