More on outlets and wire types...

[TaskBoy]

Hi all, thanks for the advice on the other thread about "copper only". I now have a question regarding wire types. I take it that "CU/copper/solid copper" are exactly that in nature? Also, is "clad-aluminum" the same as "aluminum"? The aluminum wire we have is coated with copper, is this what is referred to as clad? I found one old outlet that says "CU only" and another in the same room that says "Soild 12 or 14 CU or 10 or 12 Clad Alum only". That is what confuses me--if the aluminum is coated with copper, is that enough to use with a CU only outlets? I found "Cu/Alum use" outlets but they are $2.87 each vs. a 10 box of "CU" outlets for $4.00. Thanks for your patience and advice.

[Vector]

Yes, Al outlets are spendy. It's unfortunate, but it's what you have to do.

Cu-clad Al wiring won't oxidize like bare Al wiring will, but it still has all the other things that make Al wiring a problem (different expansion rate, etc). Use the CU/Al outlets and switches. Make sure your connections are clean and solid.

When everything is done right, with Al rated components properly installed, Al wiring systems can be perfectly safe, but the tolerances are much narrower than with Cu.