Aluminum wire and wire clips - Page 1
Forum section: electronics / beginners

author: mike_mike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 02:16:10 am
content: Hello! I want to use this type of clips:To connect 2,3 or 4 aluminum conductors. It is good to use this type of coonector with aluminum wire ?

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 02:54:29 am
content: If it is low current, it should be OK. For high current applications, you need stuff designed for Aluminum.

author: mike_mike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 02:55:57 am
content: The maximum current could be around 25Amps. And the voltage 230Vac.

author: andy3055
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 04:21:22 am
content: 25 Amps is way more than that can take! So, the answer is NO.

author: Ian.M
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 06:06:55 am
content: Its rated for 6mm2cable, which in copper or aluminum is well over 30A, but it isn't approved for use with aluminum wire, its nickel plated, which isn't generally used for connectors approved for aluminum wire, and it doesn't specify it has wire protectors to prevent the edges of the end of the screw digging into the wire, which as aluminum fatigues far more easily than electrical grade copper, and is softer, is a major issue. Also there's the question of its plastic housing's compatibility with whichever anti-oxidization aluminum jointing compound you will be using.I certainly wouldn't use it, as over time there is a high risk of the connection loosening or corroding, increasing the contact resistance resulting in overheating and a significant fire haard.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 06:29:14 am
content: It also specifically mentions low voltage circuits, which 230VAC is not.

author: Le_Bassiste
author_rank: Frequent Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 10:50:11 am
content: Quote from: james_s on June 02, 2022, 06:29:14 amnope. any voltage below 1 kV is qualified as "low voltage" by EN60998.hint: look at voltages from a transmission & distribution perspective rather than from a hobbyist benchtop perspective:https://www.electrical4u.com/voltage-in-power-lines/

author: mike_mike
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 01:50:44 pm
content: I asked the manufacturer about the material used for the mentioned connector, and the manufacturer said that it is nickel-plated brass. Also, the manufacturer said that it is not recommended for use with aluminum wire.

author: CaptDon
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 02:09:23 pm
content: No way is that connector block suitable or certified for 230vac at 25 amps!!!! Aluminum wire at that ampacity requires 'purpose designed' connectors that are APPROVED for aluminum wire and in addition there is often an anti-oxidizing compound that is applied to or comes with the connectors. Aluminum wire at that ampacity is a piss poor choice to say the least. Aluminum house wiring was responsible for thousands of home and trailer fires in the late 60's and through the 70's and most home insurance companies will no longer insure homes with aluminum wire. Most times here in the states H.U.D., the V.A. and other organizations in the home mortgage business won't approve a loan for houses with aluminum wiring. Use that as your measuring stick!! B.T.W., 'LOW VOLTAGE' in the states is 48 volts or less and sometimes also called signalling voltage. 1 k.v. is surely not in the category of low voltage any place on earth where I have worked.

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 04:53:44 pm
content: Quote from: Le_Bassiste on June 02, 2022, 10:50:11 amAh ok, I was looking at it from an electrician standpoint, in residential and commercial buildings 48V or less is "low voltage" and subject to different code requirements.

author: elekorsi
author_rank: Regular Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 06:02:36 pm
content: by EN standards:bellow 50V: extra low voltage50V - 1kV: low voltagemore than 1kV: high voltagewe often call voltages 1kV-35kV as medium voltage and anything more than 35kV as high voltage.that connection block has no problems with 25A and 230V, but not for Al cables!

author: free_electron
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 06:23:03 pm
content: Quote from: james_s on June 02, 2022, 06:29:14 am230VAC is low voltage in europe. Once you go over 680 volts you are out of the "low voltage"

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 06:24:12 pm
content: Aluminium wires are not allowed for domestic 230 V installations in the EU. Risk of fire is far too high.It's only for professionals who know what they're doing (special conductor preparation, correct termination, the correct crimp tools etc).Use copper, that's safe.

author: Benta
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 06:28:06 pm
content: Quote from: free_electron on June 02, 2022, 06:23:03 pm50...1000 VAC, 75...1500 VDC is "Low Voltage" in the EU.Dunno where you got the 680 V from, never heard of that before.https://ec.europa.eu/growth/sectors/electrical-and-electronic-engineering-industries-eei/low-voltage-directive-lvd_en

author: james_s
author_rank: Super Contributor
timestamp: June 02, 2022, 06:44:54 pm
content: Quote from: Benta on June 02, 2022, 06:24:12 pmI don't think they're allowed for domestic purposes anywhere anymore. A friend of mine lives in a 1970 mobile home that is wired with aluminum and that's the only place I've ever encountered it in the wild, it was used for a few years during the Vietnam war when copper prices spiked. I've gone through and cleaned up some work that has been done over the years by people who obviously didn't know what they were doing and it makes me a bit nervous, although it has survived half a century without burning down. The exception are dedicated circuits for things like cook stoves and electric water heaters, those are sometimes wired with multistrand aluminum and service entry, most houses in the US are fed by 4/0 aluminum cable, it seems to be reasonably reliable in that application.