Wiring and circuits
Aluminum wiring
Aluminum wiring is older branch-circuit wiring used in some homes from the mid 1960s. The CPSC warns of overheating at its connections.
The CPSC reports that a copper shortage in the mid 1960s led builders to use aluminum wire in residential circuits. Its survey found homes built before 1972 and wired with aluminum were 55 times more likely to have outlet connections reach fire hazard conditions than homes wired with copper. It also says homes built before 1965 are unlikely to have it.
The hazard occurs at connections, where growing resistance causes overheating, sometimes at hazardous levels. Compare copper wiring. Do not fix it yourself. A licensed electrician must evaluate it. See Federal Pacific panels and aluminum wiring.
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Sources
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