InspectAPedia ^TM

Aluminum Wire: "Special Service" connector failures (similar standard) Enter your search terms Submit search form   Search This Website - InspectAPedia.com

Aluminum wiring standards Inadequacy of UL Standard 486C for twist on connectors if used for splicing aluminum to copper

Click on the thumbnail sketches below to see each full-sized illustration. Our site offers impartial, unbiased advice without conflicts of interest. We will block advertisements which we discover or readers inform us are associated with bad business practices, false-advertising, or junk science. Our contact info is at inspect-ny.com/appointment.htm.

This page continues the discussion of the inadequacy of UL Standard 486C for twist on connectors if used for splicing aluminum to copper wires and adds that certain "special service" connectors sold for this purpose, such as the Purple twist-on connector shown do not perform well in this application. This is the Aluminum Wiring Repair Procedure - Page 10 Color photos and descriptive captions from CPSC Meeting 9/28/95. In this document aluminum wire twist-on connector failures and repair procedures are described, including aluminum wire repair methods which work and methods which do not work and are unsafe. Color photos of aluminum wire repair procedures, and photos of failed connectors are included. This document describes hazards with existing products, explains the aluminum wiring failure mechanism, and reviews recommended retrofit procedures including use of readily-available materials. This information was presented to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission by Dr. J. Aronstein, 9/28/95. The minutes of that meeting were obtained under the Freedom of Information Act and posted by Daniel Friedman January 1996.
Use your browser's Back button to return to the previous page

30. That testing of the type applied by UL486C is inadequate has previously been demonstrated by the Canadian "Special Service" twist-on connector. These were qualified by tests essentially the same as UL486C, but performed poorly in long-term tests within rated conditions. This one is starting to overheat.


31. This special service connector splice has overheated to the point of softening the wire insulation.




32. This special service twist-on splice between aluminum wire and stranded copper wire burned up.





Page Forward -- Page Back
Go Back to Presentation Conclusion -- Go to The Aluminum Wire Information Website.

More Information on Aluminum Wiring Hazards and Other Building Diagnostic Inspections and Repairs

• The Aluminum Wiring Information Website Aluminum Wiring Hazards and Repairs: in-depth info, photos, documents. Main Page.
• The Aluminum Electrical Wiring Hazard Explained (in the document you are presently viewing)
• How to Reduce the Risk in Buildings with Aluminum Electrical Wiring - Overview of Acceptable Repair Practices (in the document you are presently viewing)
• Aluminum Electrical Repair Method Details - "How to" details, how to identify, COPALUM repair, alternative repairs, history, products, research, source of special AMP TYCO COPALUM connectors & COPALUM Electricians (in the document you are presently viewing)
• COPALUM Electricians: Sources of TYCO COPALUM -Certified/Trained Aluminum Wire Repair Services (in the document you are presently viewing)
• Other Products, Ideal 65 Purple Twister (not recommended), & other Aluminum Wire Products/Articles (in the document you are presently viewing)
• The Aluminum Wiring Bibliography: extensive resources on Aluminum Wiring
• Aluminum Wire Failure Reports & Photos: Real life aluminum wiring field failure reports
• Reducing the Fire Hazards in Aluminum-Wired Homes, Jess Aronstein, Ph.D., This document answers most technical questions about the hazards and remedies of aluminum electrical wiring. Some of the sections of this very thorough document are listed below:
• Fire Hazards With Aluminum to Copper Twist-on Connectors & Acceptable Aluminum Wiring Repair Practices Color Photos, Current Issues. 9/28/95 CPSC Meeting Minutes
• "Is YOUR Aluminum Wiring Safe?" article discussing safety claims made by some people without looking at the wiring, J. Aronstein, 11/21/95
• "Repairing Aluminum Wiring," U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission Publication CPSC#516 available online
• * Safety Hazards and Safe Inspection Procedures for Electrical and Home Inspectors at Residential Electric Panels
• Electrical Panels, How to Inspect in Buildings, safety for electrical inspectors, electrical panel, fusing, wiring defects, defective products. Inspection Class Presentation
• Electrical System & Wiring Hazard Inspection, Detection, Cause, Remedy, Prevention - Main Electrical Page
• Directory of Home Inspectors accessible via Internet

InspectAPedia ^TM Home & Site Map - Building Inspection, Diagnosis, & Repair, Environmental Inspection & Testing - Research Website

Home Inspection Construction Consulting Services & advice for home buyers

Contact Daniel Friedman for website content suggestions or for fee-paid consulting

	Enter your search termsSubmit search form
	Search This Website - InspectAPedia.com