Is aluminum wiring dangerous and a deal killer?
The answer to this question is no, if properly connected to outlets/switches. All main breaker lugs and branch wire lugs should be sealed with an anti oxidant gel in the panel box. Aluminum wire works fine if it is properly sized and installed at a compatible outlet or switch to reduce resistance of dissimilar materials that can cause connections (screws), to loosen, arcing to occur and a possible fire. To prevent this from occurring in the past, the aluminum wire, which should be one size larger than copper wire; would be spliced to copper wire to match the aluminum wire in the outlet, switch or appliance J-box with a lock wire nut and sealed with wire anti oxidant gel. Today it is more common to connect the aluminum wire to a switch or outlet that is compatible with aluminum such as one labeled CO/ALR. Then the aluminum wire will work fine without excess resistance of electricity at wire, loose connection, arcing and possible fire.
