The outlet swap at my buddy's 1950s bungalow that taught me about aluminum wiring

Helped a friend replace some old outlets last weekend in his place over by Lakewood. I just grabbed standard stuff from the big box store but his dad showed up and stopped us. Said we had to use special outlets rated for aluminum wire and this antioxidant paste stuff. Apparently houses built between 1965 and 1972 used aluminum wiring a ton and it can get loose connections and start fires if you use the wrong stuff. Never knew that. Has anyone else run into this with older homes and what do you do for it?

2 comments

2 Comments

michaelchen21d ago

Yeah aluminum wiring is no joke, definitely use the right stuff.

markhall21d ago

People forget aluminum expands and contracts way more than copper. Loose connections start fires.