What are Problems Associated with Aluminum Wiring?
It is generally agreed that the best quality metal to use in household wiring is copper, although it is possible to use aluminum as well. Aluminum wiring is commonly used to transmit electricity through power grids. This is because it is lighter and usually cheaper than copper. For some time, starting in the 1960s, aluminum wiring was used in homes as a replacement for copper wire in new construction. This led to some of the problems which are typical of aluminum wiring if it is incorrectly installed, such as overheating that can lead to fires. The most significant problem with aluminum wiring is referred to as cold creep. As metal heats up, it expands, and then contracts again when it is cooled. This can be dangerous over time where electrical connections are made. If it goes through enough heating and cooling cycles, which are caused by everyday use, aluminum wiring gradually becomes loose at the connection point. To make matters worse, aluminum oxidizes over time, sometimes causing
