InspectAPedia ^TM

Aluminum Wire: The repair recommended by CPSC using the AMP TYCO COPALUM Connector - detailed how-to & photos Enter your search terms Submit search form   Search This Website - InspectAPedia.com

Aluminum wiring connectors How to use the AMP TYCO COPALUM connector Aluminum wiring repair

This page describes the aluminum wire repair method recommended by the US Consumer Product Safety Commission using the special AMP TYCO COPALUM high-torque crimp-on connector. This discussion is followed (on the next page - page 12) by an alternative repair method for aluminum wiring which may be useful where the AMP COPALUM special connector and electricians trained to use it are not available. This is Aluminum Wiring Repair Procedure - Page 11 Color photos and descriptive captions from CPSC Meeting 9/28/95. This document presents color photos and descriptive captions from aluminum wiring repair methods discussed at the 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

Click on the thumbnail sketches below to see each full-sized illustration.
Page Forward to an alternative copper pigtail methods -- Page Back
Go Back to Presentation Contents -- Go to The Aluminum Wire Information Website.

33. This connector, the AMP COPALUM, is the one recommended by the CPSC for the pigtailing application. The connector is applied using special tooling and is only available with installation by specially-trained electricians.




34. Here is an illustration of the pigtailing method using the COPALUM connector.

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