Electricals & Electronics

Is It Aluminum Wiring or Tin-Clad Copper Wiring?

Is It Aluminum Wiring or Tin-Clad Copper Wiring?

Solid strand aluminum wiring that was used for 15 and 20 amp circuits (receptacles and lights mostly) in older homes (not newer multiple strand for 30-40 amp dryer or range) has earned itself a bad reputation and justifiable so. Here is some comparison with its copper counterpart and why aluminum quickly became unpopular.

Aluminum Electric Circuit Wiring Characteristics

  • Less ductile: Simply put, aluminum can only withstand so much bending, twisting, clamping etc. before it fails not necessary externally but also internally which reduces it s ability to carry current significantly, leading to a buildup of excessive heat due.
  • Higher electrical resistance: Less current carry capacity simply means you need a bigger wire than would be required by copper conductors.

  • Galvanic Reaction: Aluminum is selectively compatible with other metals causing a reaction that leaves deposits and compromises solid  connections to fixtures. Loose connections and electricity do not go hand in hand. It is a recipe for overheating, arcs and possibly fires.
  • Greater malleability: Aluminum is sensitive to compression. After a lug has been over-tightened on aluminum wiring, the wire will continue to deform or “flow” even after the tightening has ceased. This deformation will create loose connections, increases electrical resistance, heat build up, arcs which could be fire hazards.
  • Expands and contracts with higher temperature: Aluminum expands and contracts with changes in temperature more than copper. As you may already know or guessed correctly, loose connections and the rest of the problems with loose connection exists.

While aluminum can be made safe (there are electricians who specialize in this), the cost of doing so or replacing the wiring makes being able to spot the presence of aluminum wiring a must-have skill set when hunting for a new home or property.

Basics of identifying aluminum wiring

  • The wire is silver colored. Going by this indication alone is merely a
  • n indication and is probably only 60% accurate. A silver coloured wire should make you go into aluminum alert mode.
  • Look for the word “aluminum” or the initials “AL” on the wire jacket where visible such as around the electric panel, unfinished basement ceilings or if possible and safe, the attic.

Hopefully this helps you hone your aluminum identification skills next time you’re home-hunting.

Aluminum Wiring with Marking

 

Well that is not all, there are plated or tin clad aluminum that could throw you off. Just as important as it is learning to identify AL, it is also important to learn what is NOT AL because not all wires that are silver coloured is Aluminum.

 

Tin Clad Aluminum
Tinned copper conductors in electrical wiring was introduced to comb

at oxidation and damage to copper conductors when they were insulated using a rubber sheath – a condition noted in the U.S. by the mid 1920s. The Sulphur content in rubber insulation on wires interacted with the surface of the copper wire, damaging the conductors. A thin coating of tin on the surface of the copper conductor was applied to both solid conductors and multi-strand conductors to protect the copper conductor from damage.
Tin clad copper looks like aluminum but is actually copper.

Walking away from a home or property purchase simply because tin clad copper was misidentified as aluminum would probably hurt.

  • Basics of Identifying tin clad aluminum
    As with electrical wires generally, a reliable way is to look for markings on the wire jacket where visible that suggests the wire is actually not aluminum. You might see copper or CU on the sheathing somewhere around the electric panel, unfinished basement ceilings or if possible or safe, the attic.
  • Nicking or scratching the suspected aluminum wire on the exterior tin coat would reveal a red copper wire colour behind. Warning! Toying with electricity and live circuits risks electrocution. Be guided! Make sure circuits are de-energized before attempting this except you are trained and confident.
  • Plated copper wire [tinned copper wire] is relatively common in older homes, and it looks like aluminum wire. It was commonly used with rubber-based insulation. Identification can be made by careful inspection of a cut end of the wire because the square-cut end of the wire or a splice reveals a red copper wire core (middle portion). This is mostly visible at the neutral wire connection bus.

Watch out: tin-plated copper wire is a completely different product

that, because its conductors sport a thin plated silver colored surface, might be mistaken for unsafe aluminum wire. It is not aluminum and it is safe unless, as with any electrical wiring, it has been damaged in some manner.

Hopefully this article helps you and your clients identify aluminum wire easily or at least know when to request professional help or assistance. If you suspect that a prospective property has aluminum wiring, have your Home Inspector verify its presence during the Home Inspection and discuss recommended next steps.

Our InterNACHI, CAHPI, Mold, Radon Certified Inspector & Indoor Air Consultant can always to help you.

 

Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence – Colin Powell. Do what you love and love what you do!

 

A humble request

If you think that I did a good job with your Home Inspection in Halifax, please mention me to anyone you know who will need a home inspector in Halifax or share my schedule a home inspection link and write me a testimonial. If there’s any reason you would hesitate to recommend me, please contact me with your constructive criticism.

Rooms and Interior

Duct Cleaning Facts

Should You Ever Clean Your Air Supply Ducts?

Duct cleaning has never been shown to actually prevent health problems. Neither do studies conclusively demonstrate that particle (e.g., dust) levels in homes increase because of dirty air ducts or go down after cleaning. This is because much of the dirt that may accumulate inside air ducts adheres to duct surfaces and does not necessarily enter the living space. It is important to keep in mind that dirty air ducts are only one of many possible sources of particles that are present in homes. Pollutants that enter the home both from outdoors and indoor activities such as cooking, cleaning, smoking, or just moving around can cause greater exposure to contaminants than dirty air ducts. Moreover, there is no evidence that a light amount of household dust or other particulate matter in air ducts poses any risk to health.

There has not yet been a study that has shown that it consistently improves indoor air quality, makes things cleaner. Air duct cleaning is low on the list of priorities for people who want to improve the air they breathe. – Professor Jeffrey Siegel

EPA does not recommend that air ducts be cleaned except on an as-needed basis because of the continuing uncertainty about the benefits of duct cleaning under most circumstances. EPA does, however, recommend that if you have a fuel burning furnace, stove, or fireplace, they be inspected for proper functioning and serviced before each heating season to protect against carbon monoxide poisoning. Some research also suggests that cleaning dirty cooling coils, fans and heat exchangers can improve the efficiency of heating and cooling systems. However, little evidence exists to indicate that simply cleaning the duct system will increase your system’s efficiency

If you think duct cleaning might be a good idea for your home, but you are not sure, talk to a professional. The company that services your heating and cooling system may be a good source of advice. You may also want to contact professional duct cleaning service providers and ask them about the services they provide. Remember, they are trying to sell you a service, so ask questions and insist on complete and knowledgeable answers.

You should consider having the air ducts in your home cleaned if:

1. There is substantial visible mold growth inside hard surface (e.g., sheet metal) ducts or on other components of your heating and cooling system. There are several important points to understand concerning mold detection in heating and cooling systems:
You should be aware that although a substance may look like mold, a positive determination of whether it is mold or not can be made only by an expert and may require laboratory analysis for final confirmation.
2. If you have insulated air ducts and the insulation gets wet or moldy it cannot be effectively cleaned and should be removed and replaced.
3. If the conditions causing the mold growth in the first place are not corrected, mold growth will recur.
4. Ducts are infested with vermin, e.g. (rodents or insects)
5. Ducts are clogged with excessive amounts of dust and debris and/or particles are actually released into the home from your supply registers.

Some tips or considerations when hiring duct cleaners

  1. Do not hire duct cleaners who make sweeping claims about the health benefits of duct cleaning — such claims are unsubstantiated.
  2. Do not hire duct cleaners who recommend duct cleaning as a routine part of your heating and cooling system maintenance.
  3. Do not allow the use of chemical biocides or chemical treatments unless you fully understand the pros and the cons.
  4. Check references to be sure other customers were satisfied and did not experience any problems with their heating and cooling system after cleaning.
  5. Contact the city office or consumer affairs or local Better Business Bureau to determine if complaints have been lodged against any of the companies you are considering.

Interview potential service providers to ensure:

They are experienced in duct cleaning and have worked on systems like yours

They will use procedures to protect you, your pets and your home from contamination

If the service provider charges by the hour, request an estimate of the number of hours or days the job will take, and find out whether there will be interruptions in the work.

Make sure the duct cleaner you choose will provide a written agreement outlining the total cost and scope of the job before work begins.

 

Our InterNACHI, CAHPI, Mold, Radon Certified Inspector & Indoor Air Consultant can recommend more ways to help you maintain your home.

 

Success is the result of perfection, hard work, learning from failure, loyalty, and persistence – Colin Powell. Do what you love and love what you do!

A humble request

If you think that I did a good job with your Home Inspection in Halifax, please mention me to anyone you know who will need a home inspector in Halifax or share my schedule now link and write me a testimonial. If there’s any reason you would hesitate to recommend me, please contact me with your constructive criticism.

References:

https://www.epa.gov/indoor-air-quality-iaq/should-you-have-air-ducts-your-home-cleaned

https://www.canada.ca/en/health-canada/services/air-quality/indoor-air-contaminants.html