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Bud--
 
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Default Aluminum Wiring Question (CO/ALR devices)

Harry Muscle wrote:

Thanks for the responses. I've read that website
(http://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum/alreduce.htm) before, however,
there's a very good post a few years back that challanges some of what
it says there. It's called "Aluminum Wiring Question" and here's a
link to it on google:

http://groups.google.ca/group/alt.en...3f5718fcfe8c08

Post 18 especially, 16 is good too. In that thread it does talk a bit
about some possible alterations to the methods mentioned in the
original site. I might use those on aluminum to aluminum connections,
however, the copper to aluminum connections still scare me due to the
different thermal expansions of these two metals and due to the fact
that it's a bad idea to have these two dissimilar metals touching each
other.

If I remember right, dissimilar metals are a problem when in contact
with an electrolye. Antioxide paste should prevent that.

The thread is interesting reading. #18 makes a major point about not
using emery paper, which should not be used on any electrical apparatus,
but the Aronstein paper says "#240 grit "wet-or-dry" abrasive paper",
which is probably not available in emery. #18 specifically recomends
silicon carbide, which sounds like a good idea.

#18 does not like the idea of using a wire brush, likely steel, to clean
oxides off of wire. The Ilso site in your other post, by coincidence,
says the "cable should then be cleaned with a wire brush". Aronstein
says abrasive paper.

#18 also talks about active (which break down oxides) and passsive
antioxidants. Anyone heard of "active" antioxidants? Would be nice to
know which (if any) are.

My main observaiton, however, is that #18s comments are based more on
theory (some of it specifically related to welding aluminum). Aronsteins
recommendations are based on extensive research testing aluminum
connections, at one time involving 7500 connections with aluminum wire.
There may be better information around, but I havn't seen it.

bud--