Hawkins Electric

Aluminum Wire Repair & Replacement

COPALUM Repair – The Safe, Affordable Way to Handle Aluminum Wiring Hazards

An estimated two million American homes were built or renovated using electrical circuits with aluminum wiring. According to the Consumer Product Safety Commission,

“Every outlet, light switch and junction box connected to such circuits is a fire waiting to happen.”

Aluminum wiring is found in many older homes, condominiums, and apartments. The aluminum wire can expand and contract, loosening connections at switches, outlets, panels and electrical junction boxes. When this happens, the electricity carried by the wire arcs moves them back and forth, which can cause switch plates to overheat and lead to a fire. Aluminum wiring is most likely to be found in homes built between the mid-1960s and the mid-1970s.

COPALUM Repair

The Safe, Affordable Way to Handle Aluminum Wiring Hazards

Hawkins Electric helps homeowners identify this risk and, when necessary, make fixes — including popular, cost-effective COPALUM repairs. A quick home visit will help us determine if you have hazardous aluminum wiring.

Signs of aluminum wiring include:

• Switch plates that are hot to the touch
• Smoking receptacles
• Blacking around wall plates and receptacles

The COPALUM repair method, our recommended solution for customers, helps homeowners avoid the hassle of rewiring their entire house. Instead, we attach a short section of copper wire to the ends of the aluminum wire at connection points. This is called “pig-tailing.”

If you have aluminum wiring or would like to schedule a visit from an expert for an inspection, give us a call! We’ll help you save time and money and keep your home safe from the dangers of aluminum wiring.