Most homeowners think very little about the type of wiring in their home. However, if your home was built in the 60s or 70s, then chances are it might use aluminum wiring. While not all types of aluminum wiring are dangerous, some are. That’s why it’s so important for homeowners to understand the electrical workings of their house so they can stay safe.

When Is Aluminum Wiring a Danger?

In the 1960s and 1970s, the builder began to use a 1350 series aluminum alloy designed as a power transmission. Used this way, aluminum is perfectly safe. The hazard comes when electricians started using this aluminum on a branch circuit. Suddenly every outlet and switch became a fire hazard.

This is because aluminum is a softer metal. When electricity is ran through it, aluminum expands and contracts at a rate that changes its core temperature. This loosens the joints and damages the connections. Suddenly, the aluminum wiring is able to ignite and your home if in danger.

In fact, the Consumer Product Safety Commission concludes that homes are with this type of wiring are 55 times more likely to experience an electrical fire. This is why in the mid 70s aluminum wiring was banned from being used in branch circuits.

Is My Home At Risk?

Despite safety measures that were put in place in the mid 1970s to prevent aluminum wiring being used in dangerous ways, many homes are still at risk. When aluminum wiring is incorrectly used, every outlet, switch and junction box is a hazard. That means every time you charge your phone or turn on the lights in a room, you are in danger of creating an electrical fire.

That being said, when aluminum wiring is used properly in your home it is perfectly safe. It can offer an affordable and effective solution for you home’s electrical needs. It is only those homes that used aluminum wiring 40 to 30 years ago that may be in danger.

How to Protect My Home

If you suspect that there may be a problem with aluminum wiring in your home, call Mister Sparky at once. Your home could be hazardous, and you need to have the problem fixed as soon as possible. Don’t wait until it’s too late. Call Mister Sparky or schedule your appointment online today.