On Mon, 11 Nov 2019 10:49:45 -0500, Ralph Mowery
wrote:

In article ,
says...

Replaced all devices with CoALR and where that was not possible
pigtailed with copper using Marrette ACS wirenuts - the only wirenuts
approved for that purpose in Ontario (No, the Ideal Purple ones are
NOT approved according to my inspector) - I used stranded wire for the
pigtails to reduce stress on the joints when installing the devices in
the boxes.
The electrician that did the job didn't know the inspection would
require the GFCI units to be installed. The inspector gave me a free
permit retroactively for the CoALR and pigtail retrofits which
technically require a licenced electrician (ANY device replacement -
even just changing a lamp or switch- requires a licenced electrician
when Aluminum wiring is involved)
He passed my work with no defects.



I have not seen any, but read there are some compression couplings that
allow you to install pigtails of copper to the aluminum wiring.
It does take a special compression tool as the common compression type
pliers do not have enough force to do the job.

It is the Copalum connector that requires a special tool and a
certified installer. If you have room in the boxes there is also the
Alumiconn, from King Innovation that is essentially a small bus bar in
an insulated enclosure and each lug is Cu/Al rated. The Ideal 65
(purple) is U/L listed and still technically legal. It is the CPSC
that doesn't like them.
US and Canada disagree on a number of similar devices so I am not
surprised that they like their home grown Marrette and not our
Wirenut.
Aluminum wire is an interesting thing. All aluminum wire is not bad.
If the alloy is AAxx it is OK, It was only the original 6250 that was
the problem but once the reputation was established the myth
continued. The problem also only involved binding screw connections.
Wire in lugs was never a problem it they were properly torqued. A
loose connection is never good.