The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) issued a survey in 2011 indicating homes with aluminum wiring built between 1965-1972 were fifty-five times more likely than homes with copper wiring to have at least one electrical outlet in fire hazard condition. If a house was not built in that 1965-1972 period, is it still possible to have aluminum wiring? Yes.
How to recognize aluminum wiring?
• Warm or discolored outlets. If the outlet covers are warm to the touch, it indicates the electrical wires are generating excessive heat.
• Arcing or shocks. If the outlet sparks or shocks you when you plug in an appliance. This happens frequently with aluminum wires.
• Flickering lights. Flickering lights are caused by several things, indicating poor electrical connections due to deteriorating aluminum wires.
• Smell of hot plastic. If you smell burning plastic near an outlet, it may be the insulation melting off the wires from the excessive heat produced by the aluminum wiring.
• Faulty light fixtures. Light bulbs that burn out too fast could be the result of poor electrical connections.
• Buzzing sounds. If you hear buzzing or sizzling sounds near an outlet or light switch, there is excessive heat. It may melt the wiring’s insulation and is a potential fire hazard.
• Wiring insulation labels. If you can see ALUMINIUM, ALUM, or AL, you have aluminum wiring.
Call Got Electric to bring your wiring up to current safety standards!
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