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To: Gaffer

Not for 15/20 amp circuits where 14/12 gauge copper is normally used, but for 30 amp and larger circuits 8 gauge and larger aluminum is commonly used. And these are technically branch circuits, and could feed a range, air conditioning unit, etc.


133 posted on 01/30/2022 1:37:19 PM PST by brianl703
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To: brianl703

I was a Class III electrician and never ran a circuit where the gauge was 10 or smaller (12, and 14). It may be technically legal now but the receptacles nowadays are cheaply built and you can’t always trust the AL/CU terminal ratings or the coatings, couldn’t do it back then, either. I can’t tell you how many times I had to replace aluminum wiring for old AL installations. They’d corrode, heat up and get brittle and just break off at the least bending. Large gauge, twisted strand with NO-OX I used for feeds and sub panels, and where it was feasible, I used copper. Probably prohibitive these days now, though.


185 posted on 01/30/2022 3:28:56 PM PST by Gaffer
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