Wire size question for washing machine, 14 guage?

SIKSUKR · 01-12-2012, 02:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NoBozo

Remember the old days when ALUMINUM wire was all the rage..gotta have it. OOPs. That didn't work and...we went back to ..DAM.. OLD Fashioned copper wire. NB

Aluminum wire is still all the rage. All the high power wire you see on poles and the ones that come right to your house are aluminum. Nothing wrong with it at all. The problem with it is the connection points when aluminum oxidizes and these connections can start arcing. Use of a proper conductive grease coating these connections work great. The problem is that so many connections are made in a house it makes it pretty tough to inspect and monitor them all. Also, aluminum weighs 1/3 the weight of copper and can transmit twice as much power per lb as copper. FWIW

Kamper · 01-12-2012, 07:35 PM

@Siksukr

This wire is probably pre WWII. It looks 'white' to me. I was thinking aluminum, what's your guess?

SIKSUKR · 01-13-2012, 02:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kamper

@Siksukr

This wire is probably pre WWII. It looks 'white' to me. I was thinking aluminum, what's your guess?

I'm thinking I would want to replace that circuit with new 12-3 romex.

NoBozo · 01-13-2012, 06:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SIKSUKR

Aluminum wire is still all the rage. All the high power wire you see on poles and the ones that come right to your house are aluminum. Nothing wrong with it at all. The problem with it is the connection points when aluminum oxidizes and these connections can start arcing. Use of a proper conductive grease coating these connections work great. The problem is that so many connections are made in a house it makes it pretty tough to inspect and monitor them all. Also, aluminum weighs 1/3 the weight of copper and can transmit twice as much power per lb as copper. FWIW

I think part of the problem..maybe most of the problem (at least in residential applications) was..as you said..at the connection points. The problem at the connection point was the fact that the aluminum wire "Relaxes" under the pressure of clamp down screws, etc and results in a Not So Tight connection. When this happens, the connection becomes a high resistance connection and gets HOT under load and can cause a fire.

NB

PS: I think there was a Retro-Fix for this...a short copper pigtail spliced onto the end of each aluminum wire so the connection point was copper.

tummyman · 01-13-2012, 11:18 PM

When dealing with aluminum wire, there are some things that you should consider. First, they make a special wire nut connector with a gel liquid inside than is specifically designed for aluminum connections. Secondly, there are specific receptacles and switches designed for aluminum.....they are specially coded. You will pay more for them, but it is well worth the investment. If i were dealing with aluminum wiring , I would hire a licensed electrician to make code connections. If there is aluminum wiring in the house, I would change out every plug and switch. I would also try and remove as much of it as possible, to be replaced with copper, especially on circuits that have a lager load on them.

TNT Electrical Contractor · 02-06-2012, 12:48 PM

Keep in mind it is illegal to install any NEW circuitry in the state of NH Per RSA 319.C -- Unless it is your own primary residence

ITD · 02-06-2012, 01:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TNT Electrical Contractor

Keep in mind it is illegal to install any NEW circuitry in the state of NH Per RSA 319.C -- Unless it is your own primary residence

I'm not a lawyer, but I did stay in a Holiday Inn Express once,

From RSA 319 - C:15, the exact wording, please post if there is other wording I missed:

" II. Nothing in this chapter shall prevent a homeowner from making electrical installations in or about a single family residence owned and occupied by him or her or to be occupied by him or her as his or her bona fide personal abode."

Kamper · 02-06-2012, 03:16 PM

Thanks. We are still waiting for PSNH to do their bits. After that I wil tell her I can only "help" her install it herself.

02-06-2012, 12:48 PM	#6
TNT Electrical Contractor Junior Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	wiring Keep in mind it is illegal to install any NEW circuitry in the state of NH Per RSA 319.C -- Unless it is your own primary residence

01-12-2012, 07:35 PM	#2
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,307 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	@Siksukr This wire is probably pre WWII. It looks 'white' to me. I was thinking aluminum, what's your guess?

01-13-2012, 11:18 PM	#5
tummyman Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2009 Location: Moultonborough Posts: 840 Thanks: 258 Thanked 687 Times in 244 Posts	When dealing with aluminum wire, there are some things that you should consider. First, they make a special wire nut connector with a gel liquid inside than is specifically designed for aluminum connections. Secondly, there are specific receptacles and switches designed for aluminum.....they are specially coded. You will pay more for them, but it is well worth the investment. If i were dealing with aluminum wiring , I would hire a licensed electrician to make code connections. If there is aluminum wiring in the house, I would change out every plug and switch. I would also try and remove as much of it as possible, to be replaced with copper, especially on circuits that have a lager load on them.

The Following User Says Thank You to tummyman For This Useful Post:
Kamper (02-06-2012)

02-06-2012, 03:16 PM	#8
Kamper Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Thornton's Ferry Posts: 1,307 Thanks: 67 Thanked 172 Times in 128 Posts	Thanks. We are still waiting for PSNH to do their bits. After that I wil tell her I can only "help" her install it herself.