ALUMINUM WIRE:
The State of Connecticut's Standards of Practice governing home inspections requires the following regarding aluminum wire: "The inspector shall report on the presence of solid aluminum branch circuit wiring." It should be clear that it specifically states "solid aluminum wire."  Multi-strand aluminum wire is still used and is acceptable in current building practices.  Solid aluminum wire was used during part of the 1960's and 1970's but has since been prohibited due to safety issues.  Heat caused by electrical current effects aluminum wire more significantly then copper wire.  Aluminum wire will expand more, creating the potential for loosening connections at the breaker and at the fixture, outlets or switches they are be connected to.  Periodic checking and anti-oxidant paste at the breaker panel can maintain acceptable connections in the panel.  The larger problem exists at the connections found at the wire's destination.  At the time of installation, aluminum wire was simply connected to fixtures, outlets and switches that were not designed for aluminum wire.  At best, a small length of copper wire was spliced to the aluminum wire with a wire nut, allowing the copper wire to make the connection to the fixture.  The problem with this is the wire nut may not have been designed to be used as a connector of aluminum and copper wire.

WHAT'S THE SOLUTION?

FURTHER CONSULTATION BEYOND YOUR HOME INSPECTOR
This brings us back to the to the place where there may not be a specific "right" answer.  First we should begin with the home inspector.  We believe that once the solid aluminum wire is observed and reported, the recommendation of the home inspector should be to consult with at least one or more qualified electricians, experienced with repairs to aluminum wire connections.  Discuss with him the various methods of repair and the level of safety each method may offer.  A call to the local electrical code enforcement officer may also shed light on what may be recommended or even required by local authorities.

SOME OF THE REPAIR METHODS AND WHAT WE KNOW

COPALUM CRIMP
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission recommends only one method for correcting aluminum wire connections:  A specially designed crimping connector called COPALUM.  However, the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission does not have legal jurisdiction to mandate the exclusive use of this method.  While the CPSC only recommends this method, the following information should be noted. This is likely to be the most expensive method of repairing aluminum wire connections.  It is made by only one company and not all electricians are qualified to use it.  There is a special crimping tool needed for these crimps, which can only be obtained by renting it from the copalum manufacturer.  They will only rent them to electricians who have been certified by taking their course in proper installation of these crimps.  These restrictions greatly reduce the pool of electricians who can provide this repair method and in some areas may eliminate it.

WIRE NUTS
There are many wire nuts; not all are designed for aluminum wire connections.  "IDEAL" manufactures a wire nut that is UL listed for aluminum wire connections.  This method is most likely what the majority of electricians will recommend because any electrician is qualified to use it. These wire nuts are UL listed and  make the installation cost more practical for most home owners.  Even though it is UL listed the CPSC still does not recommend its use because they feel it has a higher rate of failure then the copalum crimp (see photo).  Nothing is perfect, every thing has the potential to fail and we have talked with electricians that feel these wire nuts are a satisfactory answer to this issue.  A UL listing cannot be obtained without the product showing, under test conditions, that it will perform adequately.

OUTLETS AND SWITCHES MADE FOR ALUMINUM WIRE
There are also outlets and switches that are UL listed according to manufacturers for direct connection of aluminum wire.  These switches and outlets will be marked CU AL or CO/ALR; however, electricians have reported to us that these are becoming harder to obtain. These, however; will not help in repairing the connections any other type of electrical fixtures or appliances where aluminum wire is involved.