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How do you tell if you have aluminum or copper wiring in your manufactured home?
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
The quickest and easiest way to check it to go to your distribution panel. Turn the main breaker to the off position. Remove the front cover plate. Look at the colour of the wires that are connected to the breakers. Silver coloured wires are aluminium where as copper coloured wires are of course copper.
Aluminium was only used for branch circuits for a few years in the early 70's when the price of copper went extremely high to purchase. The aluminium wiring needed special care in preparation for splicing and terminations. Many connections overheated if this perpetration was not followed. Once the price of copper reduced in price the manufactures of home wiring cables went back to using copper wire.
Wiki User
∙ 9y ago
Wiki User
∙ 9y agoAsk the manufacturer.
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When you wire a stove top with aluminum wiring can you do it with copper house wiring?
If you are asking can you connect aluminum wiring to copper wiring, the answer is yes. With one provision. You must cover the connection with a special compound prior to putting on the wire nuts. This compound is available at Lowe's and Home Depot and Ace.
Why alumium does not conduct electricity?
Special care must be taken to properly maintain aluminum connections. Generally, aluminum connections are retightened at least once a year. Because this is not practical in homes, aluminum is no longer allowed for home wiring. It is largely true that most homes built with aluminum no longer exist . . . because they burned down!
Where could you find copper in our home?
you cant they dont mine in your home
Does your 1971 Kit mobile home have aluminum wiring?
all 71 kits do
When was aluminum wiring outlawed in mobile home manufacturing?
About 1976. The problem is that mobile homes are constructed with flimsier walls which will ignite when aluminum overheats. Copper can carry much more of a load than aluminum and therefore is safer.The real hazard with aluminum wiring is related more to bad connections and improperly completed electrical work. While aluminum wire cannot handle the flow of electrical current as well as copper, this is corrected by the use of a larger size of wire (as outlined in the CEC or NEC respectively). Therefore, assuming all other factors are taken into account, like correctly sized breakers and properly planned circuits, the wire itself will not have any issues with heating.However, the same cannot be said of wiring that was done with connectors and devices such as plugs and switches that are not rated for use with aluminum wiring.Bad connections caused by devices not rated for aluminum wiring or connectors that are not rated, can cause a poor electrical connection, which in turn will create heat. This in turn can cause wires to overheat and burn back from the bad connection and then potentially cause a fire.Through knowledgeable application of the correct strategies and materials, aluminum wiring is no different that copper wire. Both are subject to heating problems if not connected properly or sized correctly for its application.But, when installations are completed properly, these concerns are unfounded and aluminum wiring is no less safe than copper.
When you wire a stove top with aluminum wiring can you do it with copper house wiring?
If you are asking can you connect aluminum wiring to copper wiring, the answer is yes. With one provision. You must cover the connection with a special compound prior to putting on the wire nuts. This compound is available at Lowe's and Home Depot and Ace.
Why alumium does not conduct electricity?
Special care must be taken to properly maintain aluminum connections. Generally, aluminum connections are retightened at least once a year. Because this is not practical in homes, aluminum is no longer allowed for home wiring. It is largely true that most homes built with aluminum no longer exist . . . because they burned down!
Copper is used for electrical wiring. If Cu became scarce what element would make a good substitute?
Ag <<>> This scenario did happen in the early 70's. Manufactures started making common home wiring from aluminum (AL). Because of the care that had to be taken when installing and splicing it only lasted for about five years. As copper became more plentiful general wiring swung back to copper wiring. Aluminium wiring is still used for service drops because of the cheaper cost of aluminium wire in bigger sizes over copper.
Where could you find copper in our home?
you cant they dont mine in your home
Does your 1971 Kit mobile home have aluminum wiring?
all 71 kits do
Why is copper preffered to silver and gold for home wiring?
Price is a major consideration!
When was aluminum wiring outlawed in mobile home manufacturing?
About 1976. The problem is that mobile homes are constructed with flimsier walls which will ignite when aluminum overheats. Copper can carry much more of a load than aluminum and therefore is safer.The real hazard with aluminum wiring is related more to bad connections and improperly completed electrical work. While aluminum wire cannot handle the flow of electrical current as well as copper, this is corrected by the use of a larger size of wire (as outlined in the CEC or NEC respectively). Therefore, assuming all other factors are taken into account, like correctly sized breakers and properly planned circuits, the wire itself will not have any issues with heating.However, the same cannot be said of wiring that was done with connectors and devices such as plugs and switches that are not rated for use with aluminum wiring.Bad connections caused by devices not rated for aluminum wiring or connectors that are not rated, can cause a poor electrical connection, which in turn will create heat. This in turn can cause wires to overheat and burn back from the bad connection and then potentially cause a fire.Through knowledgeable application of the correct strategies and materials, aluminum wiring is no different that copper wire. Both are subject to heating problems if not connected properly or sized correctly for its application.But, when installations are completed properly, these concerns are unfounded and aluminum wiring is no less safe than copper.
Why is copper preferred to silver and gold for home writing?
I guess you mean wiring. The answer is because it's cheaper.
What should you do if you have aluminum wiring in your electrical panel?
Two things are very important when using aluminum wire. First and most important is all connectors and connections must be rated for aluminum. You will see some version of AL/AL or CU/AL on or near terminal screws or in descriptions of connectors. If is says CU/CU or CU Only, then no aluminum should be connected there. (AL = aluminum; CU = copper). Second most important is all accessible terminations should be tightened at least once a year. Because this is not practical in homes, aluminum is no longer allowed in home wiring. I wish not to frighten you but it is largely true that most homes built with aluminum wiring don't exist any more . . . because they burned down! Special care must be taken to assure aluminum is maintained properly.
Is there any other wires colors used for grounded other than gray and white?
In industrial wiring 'three phase' green or bare copper is the norm for a ground. In home wiring 220/110 single phase, bare copper is the ground
What metal made of radiator?
Radiators are made of a lot of metals with high melting points (example: Aluminum)
What is the correct wire gauge of ordinary household wiring?
Mainly copper is used for household wiring but it may vary.
