At a glance
- Who
- Owners of homes built from about 1965 to the mid-1970s, and buyers of those homes.
- What
- CPSC approves only three permanent repairs: full replacement with copper, COPALUM crimp pigtailing, or the AlumiConn connector.
- When
- Before a remodel that touches wiring, and right away if you see warning signs.
- Where
- CPSC guidance is national. We found no Florida-specific rule.
- Why
- CPSC says aluminum-wired connections seldom provide easily detected warning signs.
The short answer
CPSC Publication 516 says homes built before 1965 are unlikely to have aluminum branch circuit wiring, and cable installed between 1965 and the mid-1970s may contain it. You will often see 1973 quoted as the end date. CPSC's own text says "mid-1970s," so that is what we use.
CPSC's warning to homeowners, in capital letters: do not try to do it yourself. Repairs should be done by a qualified electrician.
How to tell if you have it
CPSC says aluminum branch wiring is usually plastic-sheathed cable, often called Romex (NM cable), marked "Al" on the jacket.
CPSC lists these trouble signs at outlets or switches:
- Face plates that are hot to the touch
- Flickering lights
- Circuits that do not work
- The smell of burning plastic
The catch: CPSC also says aluminum-wired connections seldom provide easily detected warning signs. No signs does not mean no problem.
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How serious is the risk?
CPSC's survey found that homes built before 1972 and wired with aluminum were 55 times more likely to have one or more outlet connections reach "Fire Hazard Conditions" than homes wired with copper. Two limits on that number: the survey covered only outlet connections, and it had no data for homes built after 1972.
We do not have a source on how many Manatee or Sarasota County homes have aluminum wiring, so we do not give a number.
The three approved permanent fixes
CPSC says it approves of only three methods for a permanent repair:
- Complete replacement with copper cable.
- COPALUM method. Pigtailing with a COPALUM crimp connector. CPSC recommends it, and says only electricians trained by the manufacturer may install it.
- AlumiConn connector. A setscrew-type pigtail connector, the acceptable alternative if COPALUM is unavailable.
CPSC "strongly recommends against" the use of non-COPALUM crimp connectors as a repair method. If someone offers you a quick fix, ask which of the three it is.
One scope limit: CPSC says these repairs do not apply to larger-gauge circuits, service entrance cables, dryers or ranges.
What we could not confirm
We did not find a source we could read on two things people ask: how insurers treat aluminum wiring, and CPSC's current position on CO/ALR devices (switches and outlets labeled for aluminum). A 1974 CPSC release mentioned CO/ALR devices, but the 2011 publication focuses on COPALUM and we did not confirm its current position. Ask your insurer and your electrician directly.
A little history
CPSC's June 1, 1974 release said roughly two million homes and mobile homes had been built with aluminum wiring since 1965. That is the same 1965 start date CPSC still uses in its 2011 publication. The agency has been warning about this for decades, and the guidance has been updated. The 1974 advice leaned on special CO/ALR devices. The 2011 publication names COPALUM and AlumiConn, so use the newer document as your starting point.
Questions to ask an electrician
If you think your home has aluminum branch wiring, these questions come straight from CPSC's guidance:
- Which of the three approved methods are you proposing: copper replacement, COPALUM or AlumiConn?
- If COPALUM, is the installer trained by the manufacturer? CPSC says only those electricians may install it.
- Is any non-COPALUM crimp connector part of the plan? CPSC strongly recommends against it.
- Does the repair cover every circuit? CPSC says its repair methods do not apply to larger-gauge circuits, service entrance cables, dryers or ranges.
A remodel is a natural moment to ask, because walls and ceilings are already open. Manatee County lists Electrical as a standard permit type, so a wiring repair is permitted work in most cases. Confirm with the building department for your address.
How Hildebrand handles it
Hildebrand does not do electrical work itself. Electrical is done by licensed trade partners we manage and coordinate, under one licensed contractor. If your home has aluminum wiring and you are planning a remodel, tell us in the free in-home visit so the wiring question is handled before walls close up.
Manatee County lists Electrical as a standard permit type. We pull every required permit and meet Florida Building Code inspections. Our work includes kitchen remodels, bathroom remodels and whole-home renovations. See remodeling an older Florida home and our process.
Questions homeowners ask
What years was aluminum wiring used in houses?
CPSC says homes built before 1965 are unlikely to have it, and cable installed between 1965 and the mid-1970s may contain it.
How can I tell if my house has aluminum wiring?
CPSC says it is usually plastic-sheathed cable marked "Al" on the jacket. An electrician can confirm it.
Can I fix aluminum wiring myself?
No. CPSC says not to try it yourself. It approves only three permanent repair methods, and COPALUM can only be installed by manufacturer-trained electricians.
Does Hildebrand rewire homes?
Hildebrand coordinates and manages licensed electrical trade partners. We do not do the electrical work ourselves.
Remodeling an older home?
Get a free in-home consultation and written estimate from a Florida licensed general contractor serving Manatee and Sarasota Counties.