Copalum Certified Electricians
As one of 6 certified Copalum Re-termination contractors in the state of Florida and the only company verified & certified along the treasure coast down to Miami/Dade to correctly perform code compliant & industry approved repairs.
Rest assure we can provide cost effective solutions for addressing aluminum wiring in both residential & commercial applications.
The Problem With Aluminum Wiring In Florida Housing
Roughly between 1960 to 1975 single strand aluminum was used and in many occasions a substitute to copper for branch wiring of residential housing in Florida as well as other states as a result of inflationary pressure of copper prices. Over time however, homeowners and electricians alike discovered the inherent challenges and safety concerns (recently discovered here) that forced the industry to discontinue its use. These concerns were voiced by numerous industry associations as well as the insurance companies throughout the U.S. In many cases homeowners have experienced issues with obtaining proper insurance coverage.
After numerous testing it was revealed that some of the aluminum properties were the causes of issues related to connection failures and in many recorded instances resulting in fires. Aluminum is relatively a soft element, and as temperatures increase "Al" properties expand more than other metals from the connectors applied . When current flows through a circuit or connection, they heat up.
This aluminum expansion, confined under a screw terminal, generates tremendous pressure, so that the metal streams into the hollow spaces within the connector. When the electrical load is removed, the aluminum goes from expansion to contraction as it cools, this results in an increase in space between both wire and connector resulting in a loose connection. Higher resistance is now created, increased corrosion forms in the gap, further intensifying resistance.
The next time a heavy load is applied, the connection becomes even hotter (expanding), which may burn out and potentially causing an ingnition of material (fire/spark).
Some potential signs of faulty aluminum wiring:
- Surface burns on or near receptacles
- Warm to the touch cover plates
- Flickering or dimming lighting
- Spark from fixtures or outlets
- Burn marks on the bus bar in the panel
- Blown fuses or tripping of breakers
- Presence of smoke and/or smell of plastic
Copalum Solution In Florida
Aluminum wiring can be safely repaired and significantly reduce the expenses often associated with a complete rewiring of your Florida home. In many cases, rewiring is not financially feasible option, such as a condominium development where accessibility is limited. Fortunately, there is a viable alternative that is recognized by numerous organizations including CPSC, NEC, UL as well as numerous insurance underwriters.
Re-termination or fusion/crimp methods is a repair solution that does not require the removal of your aluminum wiring, rather a technique in which both new copper and aluminum is fused together (cold weld) at every device location ie. outlets, fixture & switches. In addition, if your Florida house or condo was wired with aluminum then chances are your panel may be manufactured by FPE or older breaker panel which would need to be replaced. This alternative can save you thousands of dollars that otherwise would be spent on a proposed rewiring which can range from $10,000 to $25,000 or more depending on the size and difficulty. Get a site evaluation today.
State of Florida Compliant
EC 13010081
Licensed in the state of Florida following all NEC and municipality building codes.
Certified & Verified
Certified Copalum re-termination electricians in the state of Florida with over 20 years of both commercial and residential service and repair experience.
CPSC Approved
Servicing & Repairing aluminum wiring as approved and acknowledged as the safest solution by the Consumer Product Safety Commission
Benefits of Copalum vs Rewiring
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