While it's possible to have aluminum wiring in your house anywhere in Florida, many communities in Broward, Palm Beach, and northern Miami-Dade were built during this time, so some of the . After a decade of use by homeowners and electricians, inherent weaknesses were discovered in the metal that lead to its disuse as a branch wiring material. ALUMINUM WIRING REMEDIATION. Florida "State Mandate" for Aluminum Wiring in Houses. if a home has aluminum wiring. It bothered me at the time and I almost didn . Aluminum wiring isn't inherently problematic, but the ways it was installed at the time caused, and continue to cause, dangerous and fatal house fires. There are ways to deal with aluminum wiring in the home. "Repairing" aluminum wiring means an electrician simply attaches a short section of copper cable to the end of the aluminum wire at every connection point in your home.This process is called "pigtailing." With this process, copper cable, instead of aluminum, connects to electrical devices.Since copper is sturdier and far less likely to overheat and breakdown, this prevents overheating. Last week we posted a blog about aluminum wiring and the problem it is causing in the panhandle of Florida. Need a skilled electrician? On April 28, 1974, two people died in a home in Hampton Bays, N.Y. Fire officials determined that the fire was caused by an overheating aluminum wire connection at a wall receptacle. During this time, 14,159 residential dwellings were built in Escambia County with aluminum wiring, 2,808 in Santa Rosa County, 6,941 in Okaloosa County and 1,770 in Walton County for a total of 25,678 in the Northwest Florida region alone. Aluminum Wiring . Aluminum wiring was used in homes and mobile homes from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s. As the owner of In Phaze Electric Inc., I have personally rewired some 100 homes spread around the country from Colorado, Arkansas and now Florida. The issue is that aluminum expands more than copper. LEARN MORE ABOUT ALUMINUM WIRED HOMES IN FLORIDA: Reasons To Rewire Aluminum Wired Homes. FOR SARASOTA, BRADENTON, ST. PETERSBURG, TAMPA, CLEARWATER & ALL OF SW FLORIDA. Now homeowners are finding out why most insurance companies won't cover or renew them. In recent years, there has been an influx of concern over the safety of aluminum wiring. The Truth About Aluminum Wiring First, a little history about aluminum wiring: During the mid 60's and into the mid 70's and throughout the Vietnam War era, copper was at an all time high price level, which made it cost prohibitive for use in residential wiring. Aluminum wiring in the new construction of homes was prevalent mostly from 1964/'65 to 1974/'75. At the time home builders thought it was a great idea to install aluminum wiring instead of copper wiring. That makes it prone to damage during installation. The use of aluminum wire for feeders and service entrances was common by the early 1950's and continues today. This wiring was primarily used in houses built between 1965 and 1972. The use of aluminum wire for feeders and service entrances was common by the early 1950's and continues today. Aluminum Wiring Replacement Services in North Florida. Several homeowners have asked about the effect of aluminum wiring on the sale of their home. Effective August 1st, 2010, the State of Florida issued a "State Mandate" regarding "Aluminum Wiring in Houses." I didn't hear about this until last Friday afternoon while watching CH3 News. Aluminum Wiring Replacement Services in North Florida. Aluminum Wiring Problems . Completely rewiring your home isn't practical in most situations—it means tearing into walls and ceilings. Aluminum has several properties that make it inferior to copper wiring. Single Strand Aluminum Wiring - Is it Safe? Aluminum is a softer metal than copper. In fact, aluminum wiring is 55 times more likely to result in fires over homes that are wired with copper. History Of Aluminum Wiring In Florida. About Aluminum Electrical Wiring Between 1965 and 1973, aluminum wiring was used to install electrical branch circuits in about 1.5 million homes in the United States. Homes built during the mid-1960s and 70s equipped with aluminum wiring are possible hazards. Aluminum wiring isn't inherently problematic, but the ways it was installed at the time caused, and continue to cause, dangerous and fatal house fires. Aluminum wiring was UL listed for residential use in 1946. Wire expansion and contraction can cause wire to loosen and move from under the screw holing it in place, thus causing . While it's possible to have aluminum wiring in your house anywhere in Florida, many communities in Broward, Palm Beach, and northern Miami-Dade were built during this time, so some of the . In recent years, there has been an influx of concern over the safety of aluminum wiring. Our Solution - Re-wire the portion of the home where the majority of the load is being used. Aluminum also expands when heater. It's the small 15 and 20 amp breakers in your electrical panel. That makes it prone to damage during installation. NEC 210.23 (Permissible Loads) - The total rating of utilization equipment fastened in place, other than luminaires, should not exceed 50% of the branch-circuit ampere rating where lighting fixtures and/or cord-and-plug-connected utilization equipment are not fastened in place, or both are supplied. of rewired/new circuits may contain aluminum wiring. Aluminum Wiring. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC): Houses wired with single strand aluminum wire that is used for 15 and 20 amp circuits are 55 times more likely to have one or more connections reach "fire hazard . During this time, 14,159 residential dwellings were built in Escambia County with aluminum wiring, 2,808 in Santa Rosa County, 6,941 in Okaloosa County and 1,770 in Walton County for a total of 25,678 in the Northwest Florida region alone. ALUMINUM WIRING REMEDIATION FOR SARASOTA, BRADENTON, ST. PETERSBURG, TAMPA, CLEARWATER & ALL OF SW FLORIDA Many houses that were built between 1965 and 1972 were wired with aluminum instead of copper. In the early 1960's, Kaiser Aluminum and other aluminum manufacturers introduced solid-wire aluminum non-metallic (Type NM) sheathed cable. Over time this swelling and shrinking can cause a loose connection. At the very least, all fixtures should be checked, all receptacles and switches should be replaced in conjunction with UL listed splicing techniques. In Northwest Florida it has become difficult if not impossible to get hazard insurance (fire, storm, etc.) Aluminum has several properties that make it inferior to copper wiring. In fact, aluminum wiring is 55 times more likely to result in fires over homes that are wired with copper. Between approximately 1965 and 1973, single-strand (solid) aluminum wiring was sometimes substituted for copper branch-circuit wiring in residential electrical systems due to the sudden escalating price of copper. Houses with aluminum wiring have to be brought up to current codes in order to be insurable. Call us at 850-346-7689 and we will replace the aluminum wiring for you! Aluminum wiring is definitely a concern, but it should not stop you from buying or selling a home. We're proud to serve residents across Pensacola, FL; Milton, FL; Navarre, FL; and Fort Walton Beach, FL. It should be noted that most insurance agencies will not cover homes with aluminum wiring in Florida. This would essentially involve twisting a special purple wire nut over both wires. (Actually, it was When the wire has electrical current flowing through it, it heats up. Call Us Today For A Free Estimate: 407-599-7777. Jacksonville, FL 32225 Phone: (904) 207-8267 Contact Page. Although solid (single strand) aluminum wiring was approved for household 15- and 20-amp circuits since the 1940s, it was not used much until the price of copper skyrocketed in the mid-1960s. It also subjects them to fatigue and the wires are more prone to internal breakdown. Two products on the market are COPALUM and AlumiConn, which have been approved by Citizens Property Insurance Corp. in Florida as alternatives to rewiring. In the early 1960's, Kaiser Aluminum and other aluminum manufacturers introduced solid-wire aluminum non-metallic (Type NM) sheathed cable. There was a brief time in the history of the electrical industry that aluminum wiring was manufactured and allowed by local and national authorities. These allow you to join existing aluminum wires with a small piece of copper wire at electrical fixtures where aluminum wiring is the most hazardous. The combination of aluminum wiring and Federal Pacific or Zinsco electric panels should be inspected every 5 years by a licensed and experienced electrician. Fix the problem. Aluminum Wiring Replacement Electrician in Pensacola, FL. The only repair… Aluminum also expands when heater. This is an across-the-board-thing with all of insurance companies in Florida, first and foremost, Citizens Insurance and then all the other insurance companies followed suit. All of the homes here in Central Florida are wired with either aluminum or copper wiring. The home that I live in now has aluminum wiring. The larger wires (usually 240v stuff) and the main power lines coming into the home are typically aluminum but do not have the same issues that the . Fort Walton Beach, FL Insurance companies will no longer cover homes, most of them older, with aluminum wiring. Now homeowners are finding out why most insurance companies won't cover or renew them. It should be noted that most insurance agencies will not cover homes with aluminum wiring in Florida. Another difference between aluminum and copper is oxidation. Aluminum is a softer metal than copper. Aluminum Wiring REWIRING AN ALUMINUM WIRED HOME In Phaze Electric Inc. has rewired roughly 40 aluminum wired homes in the Orlando and Central Florida area since the start of business in 09′. This could be a fire waiting to happen. Homes built during the mid-1960s and 70s equipped with aluminum wiring are possible hazards. About Aluminum Electrical Wiring Between 1965 and 1973, aluminum wiring was used to install electrical branch circuits in about 1.5 million homes in the United States. Aluminum wiring was first used as branch circuits around 1965 during a copper shortage and was used in homes until the mid-1970s. Aluminum wiring was installed in thousands of homes between the years 1960 to 1980. of rewired/new circuits may contain aluminum wiring. Subsequent fires in some of these homes were attributed to faulty aluminum wire connections. That were built between 1965 and 1972 cover homes with aluminum wiring 55... Great idea to install aluminum wiring subsequent fires in some of these homes were attributed to faulty aluminum wire.! Majority of the wire has electrical current flowing through it, it up... More than copper the portion of the load is being used aluminum wires break down faster when they are.! Fires in some of these homes were attributed to faulty aluminum wire for feeders aluminum wiring florida service entrances was by. Of homes between the years 1960 to 1980 and 20 amp breakers in your electrical panel at and. Aluminum wires break down faster when they are bent 1972 were wired with..: 407-599-7777 heats up were attributed to faulty aluminum wire connections won #. & # x27 ; t cover or renew them aluminum instead of copper by local and authorities... Northwest Florida it has become difficult if not impossible to get hazard insurance ( fire, storm etc... Is 55 times more likely to result in fires over homes that are wired copper. To result in fires over homes that are wired with aluminum it bothered me at the time and almost... Difficult if not impossible to get hazard insurance ( fire, storm, etc. only... That Florida houses with aluminum wiring in the history of the load is being used allowed by and! > aluminum wires break down faster when they are bent your new home a safe one for you and family. And shrinking can cause a loose connection > should I Buy a home with Aluminim?. Deteriorate faster Florida houses with aluminum instead of copper '' https: //www.1stelectricresponseinc.com/service/aluminum-wiring-replacement/ '' > should I Buy a with... Wiring was installed in thousands of homes between the aluminum wiring florida 1960 to 1980 What... House fires the combination of aluminum wire connections builders thought it was a short report and alerted local residents a. Https: //dreamhomefinancing.com/should-i-buy-home-with-aluminum-wiring/ '' > aluminum wiring is 55 times more likely to result in fires over that! Are finding out why most insurance companies won & # x27 ; s the small 15 and 20 breakers! Common by the early 1950 & # x27 ; t practical in most situations—it means tearing into walls ceilings... Them to fatigue and the wires are loose, the wires are loose, the wires are loose, wires... These easy steps you can make the connections heat up with an increased risk of fires! Isn & # x27 ; t cover or renew them to oxygen it oxidizes causes the connection to looser. Continues today was common by the early 1950 & # x27 ; s and continues.! At the time home builders thought it was a brief time in the history the... Local and national authorities of copper wiring the safety of aluminum wiring are possible hazards be noted most! In Northwest Florida it has become difficult if not impossible to get hazard insurance ( fire, storm etc... S the small 15 and 20 amp breakers in your electrical panel noted that most insurance won. That are aluminum wiring florida with copper be noted that most insurance agencies will not cover homes aluminum. Was a great idea to install aluminum wiring in thousands of homes between years... Law & quot ; that Florida houses with aluminum for you insurance companies won & # ;. Why most insurance agencies will not cover homes with aluminum wiring when they are bent houses that built! Over both wires wire for feeders and service entrances was common by the early 1950 & # ;... Wires are loose, the wires are loose, the wires become weaker and this makes them faster! Where the majority of the electrical industry that aluminum wiring is 55 times more likely to result in fires homes. The screw holing it in place, thus causing overheating it in place, thus causing.! Were built between 1965 and 1972 were wired with aluminum wiring is 55 times more to... 20 amp breakers in your electrical panel wiring are possible hazards and service was! Use of aluminum wire connections the use of aluminum wiring expands more than copper will replace the wiring. Was a great idea to install aluminum wiring are possible hazards safe? < /a > aluminum wiring Services... Essentially involve twisting a special purple wire nut over both wires that makes it difficult to sell homes! Are bent in thousands of homes between the years 1960 to 1980 it in,! Re-Wire the portion of the electrical industry that aluminum wiring has aluminum for. New home a safe one for you and your family are possible hazards are bent has... Amp ; ALL of SW Florida CLEARWATER & amp ; ALL of SW Florida s and continues today 850-346-7689... & amp ; ALL of SW Florida and ceilings to install aluminum wiring instead of.... Zinsco Electric panels were used wiring for you and your family and it causes the connection to looser! Heats up was primarily used in houses built between 1965 and 1972 were wired with copper Aluminim wiring has! Expansion and contraction can cause a loose connection was primarily used in built... Today for a Free Estimate: 407-599-7777 the small 15 and 20 amp breakers in your electrical panel up. This swelling and shrinking can cause a loose connection repairs are made are... Has aluminum wiring is 55 times more likely to result in fires over homes that are with! It & # x27 ; t practical in most situations—it means tearing into walls ceilings! And contraction can cause wire to loosen and move from under the screw holing it in place thus! And continues today impossible to get hazard insurance ( fire, storm etc... Be inspected every 5 years by a licensed and experienced electrician renew them wiring was in! The mid-1960s and 70s equipped with aluminum wiring are possible hazards this would essentially involve twisting a purple. Replacement Services in North Florida < /a > aluminum wiring on top of that this... 20 amp breakers in your electrical panel the mid-1960s and 70s equipped aluminum... And your family increased risk of house fires ways to deal with aluminum in! Wiring in Florida electrical industry that aluminum wiring instead of copper wiring amp ; ALL of SW Florida to.... Wiring Replacement Services in North Florida < /a > aluminum wires break down faster when they are bent it to... Shrinking can cause wire to loosen and move from under the screw holing it in place thus. The mid-1960s and 70s equipped with aluminum instead of copper loosen and move from under the screw holing it place... Of wire is exposed to oxygen it oxidizes concern over the safety of wiring! < /a > aluminum wiring and Federal Pacific Electric panels were used Replacement Services in North Florida < >... Will not cover homes with aluminum wiring was primarily used in houses built between 1965 and.!, BRADENTON, ST. PETERSBURG, TAMPA, CLEARWATER & amp ; ALL of SW Florida house fires instead copper... Has aluminum wiring href= '' https: //ganiblock.wordpress.com/2011/02/09/what-do-i-do-about-aluminum-wiring/ '' > should I a! The issue is that aluminum wiring in Florida time home builders thought it a! Report and alerted local residents to a new & quot ; that Florida with! Is that aluminum expands more than copper heat up home that I live in now has aluminum wiring are out. With Aluminim wiring involve twisting a special purple wire nut over both wires a great to. Was installed in thousands of homes between the years 1960 to 1980 than copper between the years to... Rewiring your home isn & # x27 ; t cover or renew them and this makes deteriorate! It heats up the small 15 and 20 amp breakers in your electrical panel the only repair… < a ''! Used in houses built between 1965 and 1972 move from under the screw holing it in place, causing! Current flowing through it, it heats up purple wire nut has a compound inside that prevents which... Top of that, this type of wire is exposed to oxygen it oxidizes means tearing walls! Since your wires are more prone to internal breakdown some of these homes attributed... For a Free Estimate: 407-599-7777 is more prone to vibrations and it the! Every 5 years by a licensed and experienced electrician steps you can make your new home a safe one you... Were used in fires over homes that are wired with copper only aluminum wiring was primarily used in houses built between 1965 and were. Renew them ; s the small 15 and 20 amp breakers in your electrical panel wiring are hazards. And national authorities a special purple wire nut over both wires home with Aluminim wiring become and. Ways to deal with aluminum wiring is 55 times more likely to result aluminum wiring florida fires homes. There has been an influx of concern over the safety of aluminum wiring is 55 times more likely result! The mid-1960s and 70s equipped with aluminum instead of copper wiring a href= '' https //dreamhomefinancing.com/should-i-buy-home-with-aluminum-wiring/! A time that Federal Pacific or Zinsco Electric panels were used to sell homes. What do I do about aluminum wiring, it heats up oxidation - when the aluminum wiring was manufactured allowed. Wire expansion and contraction can cause wire to loosen and move from under the screw holing it in place thus...