I recently moved into a rental that has aluminum wiring. My understanding is that the wiring itself isn't dangerous, it's just the interface between aluminum and copper where you have problems because of the different behavior of the materials.
We did lose an entire "circuit" once and from what I gathered the issue was caused by a failure of a single outlet, likely due to the aluminum wiring. I believe the fix was to add, in essence, a converter that safely goes from aluminum to copper so that you can install "normal" outlets. The electrician suggested doing this throughout the house, but of course the home owner declined.
I since had a switch in a bathroom break (it physically broke – nothing related to an electrical problem). I opened it up to see if I could replace it and found this:
AKA this is aluminum wiring going into what looks like an otherwise "standard" light switch. It appears to have some goopy stuff on it for reasons that I don't understand.
The property manager will probably just send out an electrician. Normally I'd do it myself because it will take an electrician a week to get out here (I've replaced outlets with copper wiring before), but with the unknowns introduced by the aluminum wiring I'm thinking of just leaving it to the professionals.
Is this safe and code compliant? Is it probably unsafe but grandfathered in (until it needs replacement)? Is there an easy way to make this safe while replacing the switch?
Best Answer
Receps and switches labeled with CU-AL certification were legal at the time they were installed, but that certification later turned out to be wholly inadequate. They will be the source of trouble.
Receps and switches labeled "CO-ALR" certification are alright, as this is the revised standard that is much tougher on connector standards. Hint: the screws aren't brass.
You have to follow the instructions
When CU-AL was decertified and CO-ALR was established, receptacle and switch makers who didn't step up to the CO-ALR standard had to make/label their devices for copper only.
Back in the day, sockets were either beige or black. White is a fairly contemporary color, and I suspect it post-dates CO-ALR. Since they are not CO-ALR lugs, they are surely listed for copper-only.
It seems perfectly clear to me that you have an installer that just buys Cu-only devices and attaches them to aluminum anyway. That is a codevio.
You're not allowed to fix it, though.
Almost any state or municipality has a rule that only licensed electricians can do electrical work on rental units. Even the landlord can't work in an owned unit, because that would result in a sea of urban fires, as slumlords did cut-rate work. No one can do electrical anywhere except a property owner who occupies the unit as their residence, or a licensed electrician.
There are exceptions but you have to ask the local AHJ what they will permit a tenant or landlord to do. They often will waive the "electrician only" rule for simple recep or switch swaps.
Further, you need permission from the landlord to look at a cover screw cross-eyed. What you've already done would get you your walking papers with a lot of landlords; nobody needs a tenant who takes apart the building and does illegal work.