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dimmer switch tolbiny 08-24-2006
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Posted by tolbiny on August 24, 2006, 6:13 pm
Is it unsafe to install a dimmer switch on the average dining room ceiling
light if the house is older and has aluminum wiring?



Posted by RBM on August 24, 2006, 6:28 pm
No, just be sure the terminals on the dimmer are listed for aluminum, CU-AL


> Is it unsafe to install a dimmer switch on the average dining room ceiling
> light if the house is older and has aluminum wiring?
>



Posted by Pete C. on August 24, 2006, 7:46 pm
RBM wrote:
>
> No, just be sure the terminals on the dimmer are listed for aluminum, CU-AL
>
> > Is it unsafe to install a dimmer switch on the average dining room ceiling
> > light if the house is older and has aluminum wiring?
> >

...And apply anti-ox compound to the connections and retighten them
after a month or so. Then they should be ok.

Pete C.

Posted by RayV on August 24, 2006, 9:06 pm

tolbiny wrote:
> Is it unsafe to install a dimmer switch on the average dining room ceiling
> light if the house is older and has aluminum wiring?

Probably is unsafe if the dimmer has copper wire leads that have to be
wire nutted to the Aluminum wire. Dimmers create resistance which
raise temperatures which cause aluminum wire to fail. Make sure
whatever you install is rated for Aluminum wire.

Read up and change the batteries in your smoke detectors

http://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum/aluminum.htm


Posted by mm on August 24, 2006, 11:09 pm

>
>tolbiny wrote:
>> Is it unsafe to install a dimmer switch on the average dining room ceiling
>> light if the house is older and has aluminum wiring?
>
>Probably is unsafe if the dimmer has copper wire leads that have to be
>wire nutted to the Aluminum wire. Dimmers create resistance which
>raise temperatures which cause aluminum wire to fail.

Seems to me it would be "Dimmers create resistance which cause less
current to flow through aluminum wires so they don't get so hot as
they would if there were no dimmer."

What about light bulbs? Even without dimmers, light bulbs create
resistance. Do they cause aluminum wire to fail? Bulbs can get a lot
hotter than a non-malfunctioning dimmer.

Maybe I didn't understand you.


> Make sure
>whatever you install is rated for Aluminum wire.
>
>Read up and change the batteries in your smoke detectors
>
>http://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum/aluminum.htm


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