Selection Criteria for Residential Aluminum Connections

Suitable permanent connectors are required for use with branch circuit aluminum wire in homes. Some connection devices that have been marketed as suitable for use with aluminum wire are prone to deteriorate with time under conditions of normal use, leading to instances of hazardous overheating. The literature and experimental evidence discussed in this paper soundly support the position that, from a safety standpoint, the only acceptable aluminum connection devices for permanent residential installation are those that show no resistance increase under both normal and accelerated test conditions.