[Jokerfwb]

I am working on a remodel and have to replace all the outlets and switches in the house. The house has aluminum wire through out. I am using the purple connectors for connecting aluminum to copper. My problem is this the existing boxes are to small in some cases to put one for the hot, neutral, and ground. The devices say only copper conductors. I need to know if one it is okay to connect the aluminum ground to the ground terminal and second where to find either code or proper documentation regarding this topic.

Thank you.

 

[FrunkSlammer]

Not okay to put the ground on the screw terminal, unless the device is listed as CO/ALR or CU/AL. In which case you do not need to pigtail copper.

If it has AL with a line through it, that means aluminum cannot be terminated directly onto that device, including the ground screw.

 

[HARRY304E]

I am working on a remodel and have to replace all the outlets and switches in the house. The house has aluminum wire through out. I am using the purple connectors for connecting aluminum to copper. My problem is this the existing boxes are to small in some cases to put one for the hot, neutral, and ground. The devices say only copper conductors. I need to know if one it is okay to connect the aluminum ground to the ground terminal and second where to find either code or proper documentation regarding this topic.

Thank you.

Hello Joe Welcome to the forum:thumbsup:

This is from the 2011 NEC.

406.3 Receptacle Rating and Type.
(A) Receptacles. Receptacles shall be listed and marked with the manufacturer’s name or identification and voltage and ampere ratings.
(B) Rating. Receptacles and cord connectors shall be rated not less than 15 amperes, 125 volts, or 15 amperes, 250 volts, and shall be of a type not suitable for use as lampholders.
Informational Note:  See 210.21(B) for receptacle ratings where installed on branch circuits.
(C) Receptacles for Aluminum Conductors. Receptacles rated 20 amperes or less and designed for the direct connection of aluminum conductors shall be marked CO/ALR.

So you must only install devices that are marked CO/ALR.

 

[Jokerfwb]

Thank you very much for your responses. So my next question is this is what are the acceptable ways to achieve the copper pigtail. As I mentioned before some of the boxes do not have enough room for a third copper to aluminum connector.

 

[Jokerfwb]

Basically are the purple AL to CU connectors my only option.

 

[bkmichael65]

Thank you very much for your responses. So my next question is this is what are the acceptable ways to achieve the copper pigtail. As I mentioned before some of the boxes do not have enough room for a third copper to aluminum connector.

If you can't fit it all into or are able to extend the box, you're going to have to put in a larger box

edit- or see post below

 

[papaotis]

Basically are the purple AL to CU connectors my only option.

no. if the wire is in good shape and long enough youcan get cu/al devices from a sh. probly will have to be ordered and they are not cheap!

 

[papaotis]

leviton. and the bill was 110.+ for 10 recs and 10 switches!

 

[Jokerfwb]

Thank u again. I will have to do what I have to do the home owner isn't going to be happy.

 

[FrunkSlammer]

They're never happy. At least he's getting away with the cheap option, pig tailing.

 

[Ty Wrapp]

Basically are the purple AL to CU connectors my only option.

Option #2...



http://www.kinginnovation.com/products/alumiconn/

 

[bkmichael65]

Option #2...



http://www.kinginnovation.com/products/alumiconn/

If he doesn't have room for the purple twisters, he definitely won't have room for those

 

[Jokerfwb]

If he doesn't have room for the purple twisters, he definitely won't have room for those

Those are what I'm using per what the sales person at my local shop said was necessary. What are the purple twisters u refer too?

 

[Ty Wrapp]

If he doesn't have room for the purple twisters, he definitely won't have room for those

Fold the wires neatly so the Alumiconns lay flat against the back of the box. Just a thought.

 

[bkmichael65]

Those are what I'm using per what the sales person at my local shop said was necessary. What are the purple twisters u refer too?

Ideal 65 purple twister wire nuts

 

[bkmichael65]

Fold the wires neatly so the Alumiconns lay flat against the back of the box. Just a thought.

Fold wires neatly? Everyone knows you're supposed to take a hammer and smash everything into the back of the box until you have enough room to mount your device :laughing:

 

[nrp3]

Sometimes you are going to have to remove the box and install larger smart or slider type boxes to get room. Let me guess, you are dealing with small nasty metal gem boxes?

 

[wildleg]

from a liability standpoint, you might want to read this article:

http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/118856/516.pdf

reason being - this info is widely dispersed, making it a "reliable resource" and, because it is dispersed by a government agency, the information can be inferred to be "standard practice" for the "installation and repair of wiring". The quoted terms will be some of the terms the lawyer who is suing your company will use in court to explain to the jury why the customer with the burnt down or damaged house should receive a great deal of extra money, at your expense.

 

[Shockdoc]

I don't bother with a purple on the grounds, reality serves that's since it carries no load except for only under a fault, I use regular wirenuts on them.

 

[don_resqcapt19]

from a liability standpoint, you might want to read this article:

http://www.cpsc.gov//PageFiles/118856/516.pdf
...

When you research that article you find a lot of mis-statements and you will find that most of the information came from Amp...the manufacturer of an expensive competitive product designed to solve the issue of aluminum device terminations.