Definition
Electrical wiring made from aluminum instead of copper, used in some homes during 1960s-1970s as cost-saving. Aluminum wiring has serious safety issues and is no longer permitted by code.
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Aluminum wiring poses several hazards: it oxidizes, creating poor connections and heat; it expands and contracts more than copper, loosening connections; and it's incompatible with most outlets and switches designed for copper. Fire risk increases significantly, especially at connection points. Building codes no longer permit aluminum wiring for general circuits. Insurance companies may require disclosure or remediation. Inspectors identify aluminum wiring in main service and circuits. Remediation involves replacing aluminum with copper wiring.
Pro Tip
If your home has aluminum wiring, discuss remediation options with a licensed electrician.
Example
A home in Connecticut with aluminum wiring installed in 1970 experienced an electrical fire when an outlet overheated due to a poor aluminum-to-copper connection. The electrician recommended replacing all aluminum wiring with copper. Insurance would not cover the home until replacement was complete.