Master electrician advise needed

Almost every single residential underground and overhead drop in the country are run with aluminum wire. I’d bet every single member of this forum has aluminum wire incoming from the utility to their meter. I doubt any have had issues because of it.
Aluminum wire, installed properly and to NEC regulations is in no way a fire hazard.

 

Smallest Aluminum available is #8 AFAIK.
WM, you are correct, aluminum is ok when installed correctly, for feeders, branch curcuits, no.
Todays aluminum is more of a composite (alloy) these days not 100% aluminum so expansion and contraction is limited.
War Machine, which supply house you work for? Ever heard of Fox Rowden McBraier?

 

The discussion is not about service conductors. Hell my house has aluminum service conductors...they have crimp connectors and used Anti-oxidation compound. The discussion is about a small feeder circuit. No way I would run aluminum for that. Period.

The projects I sign are only allowed to substitute aluminum for copper on the service conductors as long as they use crimp connectors and Noalox. I won’t accept the liability for any other copper wiring substitutions. Not worth the risk for small savings in my opinion.

 

There’s crimp connectors in your loadcenter?

The application doesn’t matter. You said it’s a fire hazard. It’s not.

 

True, I work with it daily. Although I have never seen underground primary or secondary conductor.

But, I will say Copper is by far superior in just about every way other than costs and weight. Which is why utilities pull aluminum.

 

I HATE Noalox. I have yet to see a contractor use it properly in substation applications. I also agree 100 percent with your response.

 

I’m not sure of this. I don’t know everyone’s local rules but I can say my parents in the late 80s had to re wire their entire home to copper to meet code. I know all new home construction in CO is run with copper.

 

https://www.familyhandyman.com/elec...g-can-be-hazardous-heres-what-to-do-about-it/

 

This is a quote from International Association of Certified Home Inspectors:

“Aluminum will become defective faster than copper due to certain qualities inherent in the metal. Neglected connections in outlets, switches and light fixtures containing aluminum wiring become increasingly dangerous over time. Poor connections cause wiring to overheat, creating a potential fire hazard. In addition, the presence of single-strand aluminum wiring may void a home’s insurance policies. Inspectors may instruct their clients to talk with their insurance agents about whether the presence of aluminum wiring in their home is a hazard, a defect, and a problem that requires changes to their policy language.”

 

Wire INSIDE the homes today are copper. Pretty much everything outside is aluminum, which is what OP is asking about.

 

The wiring enters his house on both ends. The terminations are the most concerning.

 

Not arguing. I just believe copper to be the superior option and worthy of the extra cost.

 

And the wire he’s asking about is not going to “outlets, switches and light fixtures”. It’s going from his loadcenter to whatever means he’s using to connect to the shed.

The poor connections in those devices are prone to getting loose because they are moving and being manipulated. Copper is less likely to be an issue in that situation, not to mention that residential wiring devices are almost exclusively made for copper only.

Aluminum wire installed per the NEC is not a fire hazard. It’s literally why the NEC exists.

 

In most cases, aluminum is brought in to the main lugs or breaker on the loadcenter. Copper is then used on the branches entering the home. I don’t see where the aluminum is entering his house at all.

 

I only debated the point that it’s a fire hazard. That’s 100% false if installed correctly.

 

Well nobody said it wasn’t allowed by code. Remember the code defines the minimum requirements. A good installation can exceed those requirements. I’ve inspected plenty of “problem” buildings that met minimum code requirements. Doing the absolute minimum is sometimes just cheap and irresponsible.

 

It’s a fire hazard when installed by a DIY homeowner not thoroughly familiar with installation practices. You’re twisting words.

 

Ok

 

Any wiring/wire can be a hazard if not installed properly, by a professional or inexperienced person.

 

No, I’m not twisting anything. My advice would be to always hire an electrician. Pretty sure if he’s capable of running copper, he can run aluminum.

Almost everyone has aluminum wire in their loadcenter. Most brands have aluminum bussing inside. There aren’t special connectors or terminations on those lugs. Those lugs have no idea what type of wire is attached to them. It’s not a fire hazard, period.

 

Dude you have some great posts on this site and I follow a lot of them. You’re giving horrible advice on aluminum wiring in this thread. I’m done arguing with you about it.

 

Cooper is my preferred conductor. But, nothing wrong with Aluminum (now an alloy) if installed correctly, anywhere. (except branch circuit wiring)
Utilities use it exclusively underground, overhead, high voltage to meters, to utility transformers and more.
Aluminum in building feeders is no problem if done correct. They will require maint. (all mechanical connections should be tightened about every 2-3 years).
Infrared testing should be done to determine what needs maint.

 

Every time I use AL, I tighten it, then move the wire around. You can usually get another 1/2 - 3/4 turn on it. And always noalox.

 

Utilities DO NOT exclusively use aluminum. I’ve working for a utility (5 largest in the US) for 20 years so I’ll argue this all day.
No way utilities take outages 2-3 years to check connections and I’m guessing most buildings etc don’t either I can assure you of this even though I agree it’s a good practice in theory. That’s what proper hardware and torque specs are for. And yes, I use 30,000 dollar FLIR equipment on the regular and it’s great for finding hot spots but I would bet most of this technology isn’t utilized by the average Joe or most commercial buildings unless problems arise.

 

At least we can agree on that.

No hard feelings.

 

Y'all are being way to serious about this wire thing. All the OP needs is this:

 

Tell me, show me where utilities use copper.
You will not find a utility in NC/SC or other states I've done work, that uses copper.
I have been in the electrical industry for over 35 years, got my NC unlimited electrical contractors license in 1982 and NEVER seen a utility use copper. (unless on premises and specified by engineer or project owner)
Utilities use compression connection, not required to tighten.
Unless your are doing sub-station and it is specified by/for the building owner/engineer, or other utility in premises specified copper, ALUM will be used by the utility company.

 

I see that electricians, utilities guys, distributors, and engineers arguing with each other isn’t just a Texas thing. I feel right at home!

 

Sure, I’ll show you. I’m at my desk but when I go out I’ll walk into the yard. I’ll send you a picture if you need your proof. And even a compression fitting is bolted onto something so that makes zero sense as you say all “mechanical connections” should be checked for tightness every 2-3 years. I can send you a picture of my credentials/diploma to if you like?
I would rather not argue about this. I’m not a commercial electrician. I’ll leave that to the experts but give the advice I’m comfortable with. I am, however a long time employee of the utility industry and I can tell you for fact a lot of underground 500/750/1000 MCM copper is pulled. In fact, even more so now in CO with all the grow facilities.