How AFCI -115-120 in line plugs work with alum.wireing.?
by
Fred
-115-120 in line plugs work with alum.wireing.
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Aluminum wire is not ductile. Meaning as it bends a few times it breaks. When it does break an electrical arc can occur shorting out the circuit and can cause a fire. AFCI breakers in the main panel solve the problem by sensing a break and arc popping the breaker. It's better than pigtailing copper wire to every individual switch and outlet in the home.
https://www.nachi.org/forum/f19/aluminum-wiring-fix-15566/
http://www.eaton.com/ecm/groups/public/@pub/@electrical/documents/content/ct_206788.pdf
If the receptacle is designated for alumunum and copper wire there would not be a problem. But they are expensive. Not safe to wire a standard switch or outlet without pigtailing copper wire to the aluminum wire and wiring the outlet/switch. But going through every outlet and switch is tedious and time consuming so and AFCI breaker in the main load center is easier. Also removing an outlet/switch with aluminum wire can break the wires and not much left to pigtail. Also an inline AFCI or GFCI senses shorts not arcing.