Aluminum Wire

[greyboy39]

So, I don't see aluminum wiring to often unless its' stranded and typically it's the SEC. At todays inspection solid aluminum #8 was observed at a double pole 40 amp breaker which is serving the electric range. Getting conflicting information about #8 having the capability to serve 40 amp breakers and am wondering if it is adequate and do ya'll make your clients aware of of its' presence regardless of adequacy. It was marked as XHHW #8 and was in a house built in 1986. Top two wires in pictures and picture of the wire jacket is included but apparently not a very good one.

[Erby]

You wire is OK for the breaker but is 40 Amps adequate for the range.  Some ranges require 50 Amps.

https://www.cerrowire.com/ampacity-charts

[inspector57]

1 hour ago, Erby said:

You wire is OK for the breaker but is 40 Amps adequate for the range.  Some ranges require 50 Amps.

https://www.cerrowire.com/ampacity-charts

Wrong chart, that one is for copper.

[inspector57]

http://www.usawire-cable.com/pdfs/nec ampacities.pdf

Try this one.

[Jim Katen]

Erby's chart shows the aluminum ampacities way over on the right side. 

Both charts (and the NEC) allow  #8 SER cable to be used on a 40 amp circuit (you have to use the 75-degree column, which is fine if all of the terminals in the circuit are marked for 75 degrees, which they almost certainly are). 

On many ranges, the installation instructions will specify either a 40- or 50-amp circuit, even though the range is capable of drawing more than that. I suspect that the manufacturer figures you won't run all of the burners on high at once. 

Being the suspicious type, I've tested this several times on several ranges. The 40-amp breakers rarely trip, even when the amp draw creeps up above 40 amps for a while. 

[Jim Katen]

This was from a 13.5kw range. The installation manual said that it was supposed to be installed on a 50 amp circuit. The breaker did eventually trip, but it took a surprisingly long time. 

[Erby]

When Momma is cooking Thanksgiving dinner and using all the burners and the oven at the same time, a breaker tripping or wire overheating can be a big inconvenience.

 

 

[Jim Katen]

Sure, but I can't remember *ever* using all the burners on high at the same time. . . 

 

[Marc]

Not worth writing up.

What's that solid aluminum doing on an 86' house?  Aluminum wiring left the residential market in 72'.  That's worth checking out.

[Jim Katen]

7 hours ago, Marc said:

Not worth writing up.

What's that solid aluminum doing on an 86' house?  Aluminum wiring left the residential market in 72'.  That's worth checking out.

You can still get #8 solid aluminum SE cable. I see it about once a month. 

[JohnyWaltter]

Hi everyone,

My house has aluminum wiring  and I am currently insured with TD. I am hoping to look around for a lower premium but I know that a lot of insurers do not insure houses with aluminum wiring.. does anyone know who does/does not insure aluminum wiring?


Thank you!

Edited August 11, 2018 by Bill Kibbel
LInk dropping. Probably not a real question - advertising links removed

[John Dirks Jr]

I think the insurance companies stopped asking about aluminum wiring some time ago.  At least that's the content of discussion I've had with realtors in recent times.  I've dealt with both Allstate and Geico in the recent years.  Neither of them asked me if my house had aluminum wiring.

[Erby]

How old were your houses, John?

 

[John Dirks Jr]

Erby, my house is 1962.  

[Marc]

On 9/22/2018 at 8:18 AM, John Dirks Jr said:

Erby, my house is 1962.  

I thought aluminum first entered the market in 65".  My experience in my area has confirmed that for at least a decade now.

Edited September 23, 2018 by Marc
Spelling

[John Dirks Jr]

That doesn’t mean someone didn’t have some AL cable laying around that they later installed for additional circuits.