Electrician & Plumber • Licensed & Insured • Residential & Commercial • Credit Cards Accepted • Serving the Birmingham, AL area • 24/7 Emergency Service Available

(205) 426-0583

Help! I've Got Aluminum Wiring in My House!

Common Question from a very concerned customer:

My home is 35 years old and was built in the 70's. Aluminum wire was used during that period because I think there was an issue with the copper wire during that period. I have experienced outlets becoming hot and I can feel this by touching the outlet. I can also smell the "bake light" burning smell. My remedy is to replace the bad outlet with the outlet designed for the aluminum wire. Years ago they also recommended to pigtail copper wire to the aluminum wire and then install the copper wire to the outlet. Can you provide suggestions? I am wondering if I should replace all my outlets with the outlets designed for aluminum wire or use the pigtail method?

My answer?

Yes, do something now!

Here’s where your trouble lies:

Hot electrical outlets and especially the bake-lite smell (a heat indicator) is the pre-fire warning from arcing aluminum wiring. The heat is the result of arcing from loose electrical connections.


In order to remove yourself and your home from immediate danger, you must immediately change to the approved aluminum devices or the approved pigtail method in this house and have this house checked by an experienced electrician right away!

The heat concerns me. A safety check from an electrician is warranted when you detect that bake-lite burning smell which is ozone like pungent odor.

You may also get some help from your Fire Department. Your Local Fire District is very knowledgeable and may have a thermal sensing heat detector “gun.” The firefighters use this tool to detect “hot spots” in enclosed walls at fire scenes to locate problems and identify where another hot smoldering area is so it doesn’t start later.

John's Electric also provides this service for safety and repair purposes. We use a thermal sensor or infra red thermal device to identify areas that need attention, find pipes and wires in walls and generally “see through things.” Just a thought.

If you are living with aluminum wiring in your home, you are putting yourself, your home and your family in danger. Aluminum wiring in residential homes carries an increased risk of starting a fire when compared with the much more common copper wiring.
Facts:

The US Consumer Products Safety Commission (US CPSC) investigated this threat in the 1970s and found that many home fires were caused by overheated connections involving aluminum wiring. The weakness is not with the wire itself, but rather in the wiring junctions and connections between the aluminum wire and things like light fixtures, switches and outlets. While aluminum is an excellent conductor of electricity, it expands and contracts more than copper and is much more prone to corrosion at connection sites; this can cause increased resistance in connections, which, put simply, means more heat that can lead to fire.

Please do yourself a favor and give me a call to schedule a thorough wiring inspection of your home. Remember, it only takes a few seconds for one bad wiring incident to destroy your home and your possessions.

Return to blog

Current Specials

Free Home Electrical Inspection

With any paid electrical repair. A $100 value.
Must use coupon code JELFREEHOME.
Offer does not expire

$200 Off Electrical Panel Upgrade

On Any Electrical Panel Upgrade.
Taxes and dispatch fee additional. Please call for details. Must print this coupon and redeem at time of initial dispatch call.
Offer does not expire

$25 Off Any Electrical Repair

Must mention promo code: 25OFF
Cannot be combined with any other offer. Does not include dispatch fee.
Offer does not expire

Free Second Opinion

on service/breaker upgrades or fuse box repairs.
Must use coupon code JELFREESECONDOPINION.
Offer does not expire

Latest Tips

Welcome to the Neighborhood!

Tuesday, December 21, 2021

John's Electric Service strives to give the best possible service through:

Finish reading Welcome to the Neighborhood!...

New homeowners should never ignore these electrical responsibilities.

Monday, August 9, 2021

Whether the issue is large or small, problems with electricity are often ignored until they become apparent.  It's easy to avoid thinking about problems that can occur in our appliances, circuit breakers, wall outlets, and even light bulbs. But often, ignoring issues while they are small leads to more significant problems and the necessity for the help of an electrician.

Finish reading New homeowners should never ignore these electrical responsibilities....

About John's Electric

Linn Park Fountain, Birmingham, AL

John's Electric Inc. is a family owned and operated electrical contractor business that proudly provides electrician services in Birmingham, AL and the surrounding areas such as Hoover, Homewood, Chelsea, Vestavia Hills, Pelham, Alabaster, Trussville, and Mountain Brook. John's Electric provides residential and commercial electrical solutions at competitive rates. We have been in this line of work for 30 years, giving us not only experience but expertise as well. You can depend on us. We are a state licensed electrician (#03875) for your protection.

  • Angie's List
  • Better Business Bureau
  • Facebook
  • Google
  • HomeAdvisor
  • Instagram
  • Yellow Pages
  • Yelp

What others say about John's Electric Service

Aubrey and Jeremy were awesome! I have an old house with old wiring and needed to install a new Range and above Range Microwave. They worked very hard to run new wiring to the breaker box in the basement, installed new plugs, and installed the appliances with great care.

Steven T.

HomeAdvisor

Even though I thought the price was a little high the service was fantastic. Aubrey came right away and did a great job. He cleaned up all of the "mess". I can't tell you how much that was appreciated. I have had other contractors that left all of the packaging, etc when they completed their work--as if they just couldn't be bothered. it was greatly appreciated

Debbie B.

HomeAdvisor

Great company! He called and came out right away. They were on time, did a good job and gave me a good price! Very happy!

Deana C.

HomeAdvisor

Very professional & courteous! Aubrey let me know when he was on his way - great communication & reasonably priced.

Victoria Seale

Google