I got done installing the light fixture and while I was sitting on the couch I realized that the new light fixture had aluminum wires. Do I need to redo with a special wire nut? Also why would a new fixture have aluminum wires?

ETA: I stripped the multi strand wire and a couple strands got cut and pulled out with the wire insulation. Is this a problem or don’t worry about it?

This post was edited on 3/4/23 at 4:26 pm

3 ...

Report Post

Posted by Major Dutch Schaefer

Location: Classified

Member since Nov 2011

35315 posts

Posted on 3/4/23 at 4:10 pm to thadcastle

quote:
Do I need to redo with a special wire nut?

quote:
Also why would a new fixture have aluminum wires?

Cost

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by LEASTBAY

Member since Aug 2007

15656 posts

Posted on 3/4/23 at 4:11 pm to thadcastle

Interesting. We're the wires multi strand? You sure it's not tinned copper?

This post was edited on 3/4/23 at 4:12 pm

1 ...

Report Post

Posted by thadcastle

Member since Dec 2019

2797 posts

Posted on 3/4/23 at 4:14 pm to LEASTBAY

Now that you said that I bet it was tinned copper and yes it was multi strand

This post was edited on 3/4/23 at 4:15 pm

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by bapple

Capital City

Member since Oct 2010

12130 posts

Posted on 3/4/23 at 10:05 pm to thadcastle

quote:
ETA: I stripped the multi strand wire and a couple strands got cut and pulled out with the wire insulation. Is this a problem or don’t worry about it?

Likely no, especially if it's a fan with LED light bulbs (draw very little current). those wires are likely #14 conductors, which are capable of 15 amps. No way in hell that fan/light will ever draw 15 amps but the wire size is pretty standardized and common. So if you only lost a couple strands before putting it under the wire nuts, don't sweat it.

0 ...

Report Post

Posted by gerald65

Moss Bluff, LA

Member since Jul 2020

710 posts

Posted on 3/6/23 at 12:21 am to Major Dutch Schaefer

quote:
Also why would a new fixture have aluminum wires?

Just an FYI..... Back in the mid 60's, aluminum wiring was often use when building new houses in Baton Rouge. I owned a house with Aluminum wiring. If aluminum wires get hot, the wire expands a little. This can cause a wire connection to get a little loose. A loose connection will get even hotter.

I got up one morning to go to work, and about 1/2 of the lights in the house would not turn on. I went out to check the meter pan, and found that one of the wire terminals was all bunt up. I called the electric company and learned that I owned the meter pan, so I called an electrician to make the repairs.

Page 1