The year 2020 provided me with the unique opportunity and the time to produce a series of videos on topics that you told me were of interest to you. I recorded them from my house, and livestreamed them over the course of several months. There were a lot of you that might not have been able to tune in, and others who did, but would enjoy the chance to see them again. We'll be sending them out monthly in a newsletter series. Enjoy and feel free to share!
 Is aluminum wire really that bad? Is antioxidant required on aluminum conductor terminations? Why does aluminum have such a bad reputation, and why would I use it anyway?
Let's start by looking back at the history of aluminum building wire installation and terminations. Wire manufactured before 1972 aluminum wire was an alloy called AA-1350 intended for use in electrical utility applications. This conductor was 99.5% pure aluminum. When the surface of AA-1350 was exposed to oxygen, the aluminum and the oxygen would chemically bond to create aluminum oxide, causing terminations to oxidize and fail unless an antioxidant was used at all terminations. Failed connections and fires were the typical result of untreated terminations.
Today's aluminum wiring material is AA-8000 series aluminum alloy, with zinc titanium, manganese, and silicone added to the aluminum. This alloy has increased strength and resistance to corrosion and has been required in the NEC since 1981[310.3(B)]. Unlike AA-1350, neither wire brushing nor antioxidants are required for AA-8000 aluminum alloy conductor terminations. Underwriter Laboratories have tested AA-8000 terminations according to UL 486A-486B without brushing or oxide inhibitors and confirmed they meet or exceed the required standard. It is important to note that all electrical connections must be torqued per manufacturers instructions [110.14(D)] and terminals for aluminum conductors must be identified either 'AL' or 'CU-AL'.
Join Mike on this video as he answers questions and dispels the myths surrounding the use of aluminum conductors in today's modern installations.
Click here or on the image to watch the video [8min:45sec].
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