The main problem with aluminum wiring is a phenomenon known as "cold creep".
When aluminum wiring warms up, it expands. When it cools down, it contracts.
Unlike copper, when aluminum goes through a number of warm/cool cycles it loses
a bit of tightness each time. To make the problem worse, aluminum oxidizes, or
corrodes when in contact with certain types of metal, so the resistance of the
connection goes up. Which causes it to heat up and corrode /oxidize more.
Eventually the wire may start getting very hot, melt the insulation or fixture it's
attached to, and possibly even cause a fire. The US Consumer Product Safety
Commission research shows that homes and or additions built between 1965 thru
1973 are 55 times more likely to have one or more connections to reach "Fire Hazard
Conditions." Tri Star Electric provides licensed professionals and practical solutions
to help you protect your family from fire hazards.
Trouble Signs
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Warm to the touch face plates on outlets or
switches