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Reply to "Power Problems in House"

Originally Posted by gunrunnerjohn:

Most of the larger gauge wiring in residential wiring is still aluminum.  The issues with dissimilar metals has long ago been solved.  All the wiring to my three heat pumps is aluminum, as is the wiring to the range, dryer, and of course, the service entrance.  When I take the cover off one of the two 200A panels in my house, I see lots of aluminum wiring.

I've got no problem with AL in utility systems - called for a lot of AA and ACSR in my time and very little CU.  Or into my meter box.  Good, solid meter box terminals and all will not come loose if done right, and they are . . .

 

But here in the house, and in the trainroom and workship, no.  It's all copper and only copper.  I'm not concerned about dissimilar metals, etc. - yes that's been solved.  What bothers me is thermal expansion working circuits loose.  Somehow it causes the aluminum to gradually weaken and screwed-down contacts to loosen just a tiny bit, which causes more resistance, which causes more heating - which causes more expansion and eventually a rash of open circuits or flickering lights.  It was a major pain in a home I had two houses ago.  

 

Maybe that has been solved, too - it has been 25 years - but I'm sticking with CU.

OGR Publishing, Inc., 1310 Eastside Centre Ct, Suite 6, Mountain Home, AR 72653
800-980-OGRR (6477)
www.ogaugerr.com

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