How to repair aluminium wiring hazards in your home?
As per a research, homes with aluminium wiring have 55% more chances of catching fire in certain cases, compared to the homes that are wired with copper wires. There is though, nothing wrong with the metal aluminium. It is way more economical than copper and is also a great conductor of electricity. The only problem that comes along with the aluminium wires is that, comparative to copper wires, these wires expand more when used. Due to this, loose gaps are created that could later become the cause of sparking and fire.
Another major problem with aluminium wires is, it immediately starts to oxidize the minute it is exposed to the oxygen in our air. What an oxide does to the aluminium wire, in a similar fashion a rust does to an iron. Moreover, the heat increases even more because this oxide reduces the aluminium wire’s capability to conduct electricity.
As the heat increases, it could result into melting or burning of the fixtures like switches and other wall outlets. If your home is also wired with aluminium wire, apart from the obvious danger of sparking and fire, there might be a few problems that you would be facing at your home. To cater to such problems at your home or work place, we recommend few points.
Step 1: Plug a light bulb, or a hair dryer into any switch or any wall outlet, and leave both, the switch and the dryer/light on. Step 2: Now go to your circuit panel and turn off the circuit breaker as per the outlet you have plugged the light/dryer to. As soon as you turn off the circuit breaker, you'll know you have the right breaker if your hair dryer or light also turns off.
Step 3: Since you know about the outlet, unplug the device (light/dryer) and remove the outlet from the wall. Check for the wiring attached to it. Only check and remember do not detach the wiring otherwise, you would end up making the connection worse. Step 4: Next course of action will be to take the aluminium wire and connect it to a small piece of copper wire which is further connected to the fixture. This is considered the safest method and is called pigtailing. With this you are done with your work.
NOTE: Do not do this process at home, unless you are comfortable enough with wiring and have enough knowledge about them. Otherwise, just call an electrician or any aluminium wire supplier.
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