It's a modern engineering validated safe idea prejudicial mindsets notwithstanding. There have been minimal reports of abnormal wiring fires from the new alloys since the late 70's. In the same time frame there have been many cases of fire from copper wire used in the back stabbed wiring branch crap that's still on the market.

I wouldn't trust most of the 'plumber' electricians building homes to make proper connections with the best copper materials either

Hi,

I dont think the "prejudicial mindsets" argument is very good here. i dont know if you realize it but what you are saying is that your statement is perfectly true and valid and that anything else is a conspiracy theory.
I guess we all do that sometimes, but some of your other statements sounded more plausible so if you could provide some links or something we could all take a look. I'd be very interested to see some hard factual data. I'd look in my EE manual but i am almost sure they will just tell me HOW to use AL wire, not why to use it or any data on AL vs CU wire.
You also seem to be suggesting that there is a huge quality issue in the wire itself. That would be interesting to look at in more detail too.

 

Hi,

I dont think the "prejudicial mindsets" argument is very good here. i dont know if you realize it but what you are saying is that your statement is perfectly true and valid and that anything else is a conspiracy theory.
I guess we all do that sometimes, but some of your other statements sounded more plausible so if you could provide some links or something we could all take a look. I'd be very interested to see some hard factual data. I'd look in my EE manual but i am almost sure they will just tell me HOW to use AL wire, not why to use it or any data on AL vs CU wire.
You also seem to be suggesting that there is a huge quality issue in the wire itself. That would be interesting to look at in more detail too.

The issue that concerns me is the quality of expertise of those who "touch" the installation after it is done and approved. Especially for the wiring to an electric stove, the probability of the floor mounted receptacle being removed and replaced by somebody installing a new floor covering is real, I have had to repair such changes.. But I did not post photos or any such stuff, as there was no need to do it.

 

I guess we all do that sometimes, but some of your other statements sounded more plausible so if you could provide some links or something we could all take a look. I'd be very interested to see some hard factual data. I'd look in my EE manual but i am almost sure they will just tell me HOW to use AL wire, not why to use it or any data on AL vs CU wire.

Hi, no need to look at an EE manual. That manual won't tell you much about real world every day installations. The NEC is the final arbitrator to the whole aluminum/copper thing. And they say it is fine when used where it is supposed to be. If it wasn't it would also be called out not to use it.

 

Something to keep in mind; work is not always (not often where I live) done by professionals. Here in S. FL it's difficult to find quality work, so most people do it themselves or find "some guy" who works as a handy man to do it, usually for cash. If you need something done, including wiring, just ask around and someone knows "a guy" who will come do whatever it is, for cash. Workmanship is a crap shoot; some guys are absolutely fantastic, some not so much. Knowing that this is how houses are maintained here, how confident would you be that the 50yr old house you want to buy, that has aluminum wiring, has been maintained appropriately and is still safe? This is an example of why aluminum would definitely not be as safe as copper in the real world, regardless of how it looks on paper.

 

Something to keep in mind; work is not always (not often where I live) done by professionals. Here in S. FL it's difficult to find quality work, so most people do it themselves or find "some guy" who works as a handy man to do it, usually for cash. If you need something done, including wiring, just ask around and someone knows "a guy" who will come do whatever it is, for cash. Workmanship is a crap shoot; some guys are absolutely fantastic, some not so much. Knowing that this is how houses are maintained here, how confident would you be that the 50yr old house you want to buy, that has aluminum wiring, has been maintained appropriately and is still safe? This is an example of why aluminum would definitely not be as safe as copper in the real world, regardless of how it looks on paper.

Like I have been saying!! Exactly.. Not everybody who touches an installation is a master who will get it exactly right.

 

Like I have been saying!! Exactly.. Not everybody who touches an installation is a master who will get it exactly right.

That's a universal problem not restricted to home wiring and diy electricians. Russian has lost at least two rockets and payloads due to workers using hammers to make parts fit.

You can't make it fool proof because fools are so ingenious.

Cooking, heating, electrical equipment, candles, kids playing with matches and smoking in bedrooms has burned a hell of a lot more houses than modern AL faulty wiring ever will.

 

Like I have been saying!! Exactly.. Not everybody who touches an installation is a master who will get it exactly right.

Hi,

Yes that makes a lot of sense. To quote a famous news guy, "The uneducated masses"

 

Hi,

Yes that makes a lot of sense. To quote a famous news guy, "The uneducated masses"

and like another famous guy, Clint Eastwood, stated : You Can't Fix Stupid", which is my favorite famous person quote.