Aluminium Wiring Splice Connection

LNG24

I know we have pleanty of threads on Aluminium, but so as not to bring up the old and hoping there is something new. Here goes.

Same house as the 110v outlet wired to a 220 circut, I believe has aluminium wiring, though I will to the scrape test tomorrow. Did they use aluminium in BX?

I have read so much about the Ideal 65's that I am very hesitent to use them now. That was originally my first method.

Here is what I have:

In an Existing Splice Box:

BX Line In to
BX to Hall Light, Romex to two 15 amp outlets, Romex to Ceiling Light.

I was simply relocating the one outlet outside of the closet we are expanding. Ran new Romex up to the Jct Box and thats when I found what I think is Aluminium wire in that BX cable. Did they even make BX cable with Aluminium. Will do a scratch test Monday to see for sure. Anyway.

I am thinking that since I am not simply pigtaling here, I might be better off with the Splice Bolt methode, right?

How do you feel about pigtailing the existing outlets with the Idela 65 if it does turn out to be aluminium?

I have read so much now (and seen) so many Ideal 65 failures, I don't kniw I'd even use them for switching out outlets of which by the way were all switched out by the painters (same painter that installed a 110/15amp outlet on a 220/20amp circut.)

kbsparky

I've never seen any BX with aluminum conductors.

Maybe it is tinned copper?

househelper

That should be tinned copper, not aluminum, in the BX.

neolitic

The BX/armorflex/whatever in this house (wired summer 1951) is tinned copper, even though I've been told by electricians and even the last IPL lineman who was here, "Lots of these old 50's houses had aluminum." I've got a piece each of #14,#12, and #10 right here on the desk and the cut end says copper. Even wnt to the basement and got trimmers from latest panel change to be sure. Maybe some 40's work was alum 'cause of the war? Then there was early 70's copper "shortage". @ '74-'75 all bets are off.







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Bkessler

I've only seen al romex #12 &#10 in houses built from about 66 to 76.

mdshunk

I've never seen aluminium in BX cable either. I've only ever seen it in Romex. The scrape test is your true test, or cut the end with nippers and look at the center. I too suspect that you're dealing with tinned copper.

LNG24

Well I for one can sleep better. Sounds like I have a 90% chance of tinned copper. I like those odds and I don't have to break it to the customer that I need to work on every outlet in the place.

I'll do the scrape test. If you hear a cheer Monday Morning I either hit the lottory or its copper.