Aluminum Wiring
For Immediate Release
May 1, 2003
Release #03-120
Tyco Electronics Media Contact: Paul Lavenberg (717) 592-2409
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson (301) 504-7051
May Is National Electrical Safety Month:
Good News for Homeowners - Aluminum Wiring Fix Still Available
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
announced today that Tyco Electronics Corp., of Harrisburg, Pa., has
agreed to continue offering the COPALUM connector repair system until at
least 2005 for homes with aluminum wiring. The It is estimated that 2 million homes were built
with aluminum wire between 1965 and 1973.
Warning signs, such as warm-to-the-touch face plates on outlets or
switches, flickering lights, circuits that don't work, or the smell of
burning plastics, can indicate a fire hazard within 15- and 20-ampere
aluminum wiring circuits. A failure in the circuits can lead to
electrical arcing and a serious fire, which can spread within the walls
of a home before being detected.
The COPALUM crimp connector, which has been available for more
than 20 years, is the only system recognized by CPSC that provides a
complete and permanent repair and reduces the fire hazard in aluminum
wire circuits. The COPALUM connector system attaches a copper wire to
the old aluminum wires and is then crimped together with a power tool,
achieving a "cold weld" between the conductors. The "cold
weld" creates
a permanent bond that eliminates electrical arcing or glowing
connections and creates a safer electrical connection at outlets,
switches, lights, circuit breakers, and panelboard terminals. The
COPALUM connector repair materials and power crimping tools are only
available to electricians who receive training from the manufacturer, to
ensure that repairs are properly made.
"CPSC appreciates Tyco's commitment to protecting the safety of
consumers by continuing to offer COPALUM connectors," said CPSC Chairman
Hal Stratton. "Without the Tyco Electronics system, the only method for
safely upgrading aluminum wiring systems would be to install new copper
circuits, which is often impractical for consumers."
CPSC believes that "twist-on" connectors, receptacles and switches
and other devices that connect directly to aluminum wires, are an
inadequate solution. The COPALUM crimp connector system provides a
safe, permanent fix.
If homeowners are not certain whether their home has aluminum
branch circuit wiring, they can look at the markings on the surface of
the electric cables which may be visible in unfinished basements, attics
or garages. Aluminum wiring will have "Al" or
"Aluminum" marked every
few feet along the cable. A home inspector or qualified electrician
also can assist in identifying aluminum wiring. CPSC advises that
consumers should not open the interior of the panelboard or circuit
breaker compartment - this can expose live wires and pose an
electrocution hazard.
COPALUM connectors are available from Tyco Electronics under the
AMP brand. Consumers can check to see if the COPALUM connector system is
available in their area by calling the company at (800) 522-6752. To
order a list of authorized electricians in their area, consumers can
write to: Tyco Electronics Corp., Attn: Aluminum Wire Repair Program,
P.O. Box 3608, Harrisburg, PA 17105-3608. If no authorized electrician
is currently located nearby, consumers can have an electrician
interested in repairing their home contact the nearest supplier of AMP-
brand COPALUM connectors for training and other repair information.
To link to this press release, use the following URL:
http://www.cpsc.gov/cpscpub/prerel/prhtml03/03120.html
For more information about aluminum wiring and the crimp connector
system, consumers can obtain a free copy of "Repairing Aluminum
Wiring"
by going to the CPSC website, www.cpsc.gov, or
by writing to, CPSC,
Washington, DC 20207.
The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission is charged with protecting the
public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death from more than
15,000 types of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths,
injuries and property damage from consumer product incidents cost the nation
more than $700 billion annually. The CPSC is committed to protecting
consumers
and families from products that pose a fire, electrical, chemical, or mechanical
hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of consumer
products - such as toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household
chemicals - contributed significantly to the 30 percent decline in the rate of
deaths and injuries associated with consumer products over the past 30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's hotline
at
(800) 638-2772 or CPSC's teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270 or visit CPSC's Web
site
at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html.
Consumers can obtain this release and recall information
at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.