Although not considered a permanent repair, tightening all the aluminum connections can buy you some time albeit without reducing all the risk of the hazard. Aluminum contracts and expands at a much greater rate than copper wire causing hazardous spacing between the wire and device at each connection. Arcing can occur and if combustible material (accumulated dust, dirt debris) is present a fire may occur.
This procedure entails stripping the insulation off of the wire or abrading the exposed wire (if the amount of wire present in the box is limited) the wire is completely coated with a non-flammable oxide inhibitor to prevent any further oxidation. Then a new connection is made that ensures as tight a connection as is possible. All debris will be removed and at that point this connection should be safe for a couple of years.
Advantages:
- Provides short term risk reduction very cost effectively.
- Every connection is inspected for prior damage and cleaned thoroughly.
- Every connection is re-made using best electrical practices, completely anti-oxidized and well tightened.
- Any device that warrants replacing will be replaced with a CO/ALR device.
Disadvantages:
This repair is a very cost effective way of significantly reducing the amount of existing risk with aluminum branch circuitry. You can sleep better knowing that every connection is clean and tight and that all prior oxidation has been eliminated and is now prevented. The only drawback is that all connections should be re-tightened in a couple of years.
View the Abrading, Tightening and Anti-Oxidizing Process
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