Aluminum Wiring in Calgary and its Dangers

The technologies used to create safe and affordable wiring solutions have changed considerably over the years when it comes to wiring. Of course, this change has been seen across many different aspects of electrical work, but the dangers posed by old wiring systems can be notable. One such example of less-than-safe wiring is aluminum wiring, which was widely used during the 60s and 70s in particular for Calgary properties.

As such, it’s crucial to be aware of how and why electricians used aluminum wiring and how aluminum wiring Calgary can potentially be a risk for your health and overall wellbeing!

A Brief History of Aluminum Wiring

First of all, let’s look at a brief history of using aluminum wiring in Calgary properties. Indeed, electricians commonly used aluminum during the 1960s and 1970s. Until this point (and again after), the metal of choice for electrical wires was copper. However, a spike in the price of copper across these two decades led to electricians and home builders opting for aluminum wiring as a cheaper option.

Unfortunately, there were numerous potential complications associated with choosing aluminum for a Calgary property’s wiring, and aluminum wires wouldn’t be quite the solution it had originally seemed. Indeed, although aluminum wire is a highly effective electrical conductor – and society has used it for well over a century for wiring – it requires a larger wire gauge than can be needed for copper wiring.

Moreover, this can cause numerous potential complications, in particular since Calgary electricians at the time didn’t often adjust the electrical devices and outlets to meet the unique properties of aluminum wiring.

The Dangers of Aluminum Wiring

Aluminum wires pose a few notable dangers in your property, and it’s crucial to be aware of these that you suspect your home might feature this type of electrical system. Moreover, suppose your property was built using aluminum wires for the electrical systems. In that case, you might even find it difficult to take out certain coverage from insurance policies – leaving you in a state of financial risk.

Some of the most prominent dangers of aluminum wiring include the following:

• Improper installations were common with aluminum wiring installed during the 60s and 70s.
• Aluminum wiring can “creep” or deform over time, potentially compromising your safety
• Connections between aluminum and copper wires can develop instabilities with time
• If the aluminum wires come into contact with oxygen, they can oxidize over time. This has the effect of making your wires an electrical insulator – stopping the system from working effectively.

These are just a few of the dangers associated with aluminum wiring for your Calgary property. These risks, when combined, will drastically increase the chances of a fire breaking out in your home. As such, being aware of them may help you to make the right choice for your property’s overall safety – and remember, if you need any further support or advice, our team is on hand to help.

Find Out More

If you want to find out more about aluminum wiring and how to get the best wiring solutions for your property, then our team is on hand to help. Indeed, if you suspect that your home may use dangerous aluminum wires, we can provide a selection of solutions to help ensure your safety and the security of your home. So, don’t leave things to chance.

Ensure your property’s electrical systems are running safely with help from our professional electrician team today; we’re here to help with all of your aluminum wiring in Calgary.