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Posted by Duane Bozarth on August 10, 2005, 1:26 pm
zxcvbob wrote:
>
....
> The bigger problem is finding crimp sleeves that are appropriate for
> joining copper and aluminum. Tin plated might be compatible with both
> metals, I'm not sure.
That's where I'd think the problem lies, too...and if one is looking for
NEC-approved or equivalent as I thought OP was, that could be a problem.
I guess NicoPress would be one place one could start looking...we use
them on electric fence, but that's not the same thing by any stretch as
for residential wiring...
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Posted by Chris Lewis on August 10, 2005, 7:46 pm
> There are many crimping tools designed for wiring (not necessarily house
> wiring but any) that will work with #12 wire no problem. I have also seen
> copper sleeves (Ferrules?) for use in crimping wire in the electrical
> section at HD and other hardware stores.
There are indeed _many_ crimping tools and sleeves. But few of them
are UL/CSA/NEC/CEC approved for work on AC power wiring. And secondly,
_none_ of them (except the COPALUM device _with_ the hydraulic crimper)
are approved for connecting aluminum wire to copper.
So, telling people to just wander into the automotive section, and use
whatever they find there on their AC power wiring (whether Aluminum or
not) is a very bad idea.
--
Chris Lewis, Una confibula non set est
It's not just anyone who gets a Starship Cruiser class named after them.
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Posted by SQLit on August 10, 2005, 2:51 pm
> Thanks to everyone who's responded to my last question about aluminum
> wiring. I thought I'd investigate the option of using a hydrolic
> pressing or crimping tool to add copper pigtails onto the aluminum
> wires. Apparently that's how aluminum wire connections are made by the
> utility companies.
>
> I know there's a tool available and certified for residental wiring,
> called COPALUM, unfortunately the company who offers this tool has very
> strict rules and regulations, etc. regarding who can use it, etc. ...
> making it quite expensive to actually use, not to mention that no one
> in Canada is actually certified at the moment to use this tool.
>
> However, electrical utilities obvioulsy have tools that they use also
> for such things. Hence I'm wondering if anyone could help me dig up
> some information on other powered crimping tools that can be used to
> attach copper to aluminum wire.
>
> Thanks,
> Harry
ratching crimpers are what I would and do use.
The biggest issue is to find a crimp that is AL/CU rated.
After much googling I found this
http://www.cpsc.gov/CPSCPUB/PREREL/prhtml03/03120.html
"COPALUM connectors are available from Tyco Electronics under the AMP brand.
Consumers can check to see if the COPALUM connector system is available in
their area by calling the company at (800) 522-6752. To order a list of
authorized electricians in their area, consumers can write to: Tyco
Electronics Corp., Attn: Aluminum Wire Repair Program, P.O. Box 3608,
Harrisburg, PA 17105-3608. If no authorized electrician is currently located
nearby, consumers can have an electrician interested in repairing their home
contact the nearest supplier of AMP- brand COPALUM connectors for training
and other repair information."
Seems no one is going to sell parts,,,, tools yes.
Have fun anything that is this "closed" I have serious suspicions about.
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Posted by Harry Muscle on August 11, 2005, 6:04 am
COPALUM is the tool I mentioned in my original post. Unfortunately,
it's virtually impossible for one to get their hands on it ... first
off you have to be a licensed electrician, then you need to get
certified (apparently only one guy in all of Canada is certified, but
he no longer works with this tools and wants nothing to do with it due
to the costs associated), then you can finally get the tool, but they
only rent it, never sell it ... way to much hassle and cost to go thru.
Thanks,
Harry
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Posted by barbarow on August 10, 2005, 7:09 pm
See
http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/knowhow/electrical/article/0,16417,562098-8,00.html
> Thanks to everyone who's responded to my last question about aluminum
> wiring. I thought I'd investigate the option of using a hydrolic
> pressing or crimping tool to add copper pigtails onto the aluminum
> wires. Apparently that's how aluminum wire connections are made by the
> utility companies.
>
> I know there's a tool available and certified for residental wiring,
> called COPALUM, unfortunately the company who offers this tool has very
> strict rules and regulations, etc. regarding who can use it, etc. ...
> making it quite expensive to actually use, not to mention that no one
> in Canada is actually certified at the moment to use this tool.
>
> However, electrical utilities obvioulsy have tools that they use also
> for such things. Hence I'm wondering if anyone could help me dig up
> some information on other powered crimping tools that can be used to
> attach copper to aluminum wire.
>
> Thanks,
> Harry
>
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