On 24 Aug 2006 18:06:49 -0700, "RayV" wrote:


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