Re: [VAL] Aluminum wire for 12vdc?

[<Balloon@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Colin,

Though I'm sure the good doctor will explain this better. But, I'll give it a try.
During the mid 60's the use of aluminum wire became a standard that did not
last long. Aluminum wire is still used today for "certain" things. If you look, 
you may find the "main feed" into your new home could be aluminum. The problem
came about with what is called "dissimilar" metals. They continued to use "copper"
contacts on the outlets. The aluminum wire and the copper contacts would react
in such a way that over time would cause it to corrode at that contact. This
corrosion would then cause a short when current was being pulled through
the connection. In turn this short would cause heat, heat builds into fire.
My understanding, is that you can still use the aluminum wire. But, what you should 
do is go down to the local electric place/Lowes/HomeDepot/etc.... and buy a special
grease.  At each connection, take the connection loose, apply the grease and
retighten.  By doing this, you should have no problem at all.

On your new home if you open the breaker box, you may find the main leads
coming into your home have this done.

Paul Waddell
WBCCI/VAC/WDCU 1270