On Apr 17, 11:26 am, Bud-- wrote:
wrote:
On Apr 13, 11:24 pm, "Mark" wrote:

wrote in message

roups.com...

On Apr 13, 10:02 am, "Mark" wrote:

After searching high and low I'm coming to the conclusion that an
Aluminum compatible GFCI outlet does not exist.

So I want to install GFCI breakers on the associated circuits as

an

alternative to fishing new wire.

Amuninum wire is such a pain I would seriously consider fishing new

wire.

Yeah, it would figure that copper prices are through the roof again at
the moment.

How do I know if a GFCI breaker can be used on a circuit that is

wired

aluminum?

It will specifically say so like with other outlets and switches.

A GFCI *breaker* will say so? I already gave up on a GFCI *outlet* in
lieu of an appropriate pigtail solution. I don't see any
distinguishing Al-compatible markings on the existing breakers...

Breakers are marked/spec'd Al/Cu if applicable. AFAIK GFCI breakers are no
exception.

Hmm, I can't seem to find anything marked Al/Cu at the local home
improvement amusement parks. I do find several which specifically say
to use only with copper wiring. I'll pay a visit to a contractor
supply this week, they will probably have a better selection.

I would rather pigtail to copper and connect the copper to the breaker,
as in N8N's post. The breaker connection is probably heated by the
breaker trip mechanism, and heat cycling with aluminum is not a good
idea. Aside from that, I don't see any advantages in direct connection.
In any case, I would use the connection procedures inhttp://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum/alreduce.htm

Yeah, I've been using that as a rough guide, they've omitted mention
of the "normal" CO/ALR butt splices sold at Home Depot and such
though. So I'm not sure where they fit into the whole scheme, but I
suspect they're about as good an idea as the purple wire nuts also
sold there (which is to say, not at all).

UL fixed aluminum expansion problems with new alloy aluminum and CO/ALR
devices. But most of the installed aluminum branch circuit wire is
probably "old technology". (Aluminum oxidation is a problem with new and
old wire.)

Yeah, in my case it's silver-colored wire through and through, so it's
not the copper clad type aluminum that is supposed to be safer. Thus
requiring scraping, anti-oxidant, and a thermally-safe fit at every
connection.