How Do I Know if I Have Aluminum Wiring?

• Expansion and Contraction: Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper when it heats up and cools down, which can cause connections to loosen over time.
• Oxidation: Aluminum oxidizes faster than copper, resulting in increased resistance and heat, which can result in overheating.
• Brittleness: Over time, aluminum wiring can become brittle, making it more prone to damage during installation or maintenance.

How to identify aluminum wiring in your home

There are a number of ways to identify whether you have aluminum wiring in your home, and checking home inspection reports is arguably the most definitive. If you have access to the home inspection report from when you purchased the property, review it to see if the inspector noted the presence of aluminum wiring. Otherwise, you’ll have to do some investigating,

Check the electrical panel, outlets and switches, and visible wiring for clues:

• Electrical Panel: Open the panel and carefully examine the wires connected to the breakers. Look for any labeling on the wiring. Aluminum wires are often marked with "AL," "ALUM," or "ALUMINUM."
• Outlets and Switches: Turn off the power to the outlet or switch at the breaker box, then remove the cover plate. Carefully pull the outlet or switch out from the electrical box to check the connected wires for silver-colored wires or any "AL" markings.
• Visible Wiring: Check for exposed wiring in areas such as the attic, basement, or crawl spaces. Aluminum wires will have a silver hue.

If you discover that your home has aluminum wiring, we advise that you consult with a certified electrician sooner rather than later.

Consult a certified electrician

Whether you need emergency electrical repair service or want a certified electrician to investigate, the uniformed professionals at Mr. Electric are ready, willing, and able to help. Contact Mr. Electric to get in touch with a member of our team today.