<html><body><span style="font-family:Verdana; color:#000000; font-size:10pt;"><div>I'm with Dick on this one... Sure, I've seen a few good oopsies involving aluminum, (where the J box does the Salvador Dali thing)... but they're usually installed by "Uncle Larry" types... as long as the install is code compliant (Listed and properly installed), I don't think it maters much. db<br></div><div><br></div><div><br>Dan Brown<br>Foxfire Energy Corp.<br>Renewable Energy Systems<br>(802)-483-2564<br><a href="http://www.Foxfire-Energy.com">www.Foxfire-Energy.com</a><br>NABCEP #092907-44</div><div><br><br></div>
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-------- Original Message --------<br>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] AL wire with DC<br>
From: <a href="mailto://Richard.L.Ratico@valley.net">Richard.L.Ratico@valley.net</a> (Richard L Ratico)<br>
Date: Fri, July 23, 2010 6:18 pm<br>
To: <a href="mailto://re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches@lists.re-wrenches.org</a><br>
<br>
Dana,<br>
<br>
Thanks for the input. Excuse me please, "OG jobs" are?<br>
<br>
If the wire had been copper and didn't melt, but instead continued to arc, <br>
would the resultant heat have eventually started a fire?<br>
What type of splice was it?<br>
<br>
Does no one else use Al for DC? Here in rocky Vermont/NH, <br>
we use the same type aluminum URD cable for both AC and DC runs, but, <br>
always installed in PVC conduit, never direct buried. Haven't seen <br>
seen a problem yet.<br>
<br>
Dick Ratico<br>
Solarwind Electric<br>
<br>
<br>
<br>
--- You wrote:<br>
The problem with Al is that, IF there is ever a loose<br>
connection, & associated arcing, that it melts not like<br>
copper in the same situation which may arc but not melt.<br>
<br>
I have come in on OG jobs where Al was employed and found J<br>
boxes that were [sometimes wet] and had loose connections<br>
and the splice was charred/melted and the AL wire was not<br>
conducting & melted beyond use, directly at the splice. The<br>
rubber linemen's tape was charred and there was a direct<br>
short to the metal box which was at least grounded<br>
correctly. I tend not to use Al based on this experience.<br>
<br>
Thanks, Dana Orzel<br>
<br>
Great Solar Works, Inc<br>
E - <a href="mailto://dana@solarwork.com">dana@solarwork.com</a><br>
V - 970.626.5253<br>
F - 970.626.4140<br>
C - 970.209.4076<br>
web - <a href="http://www.solarwork.com">www.solarwork.com</a><br>
<br>
"Responsible Technologies for Responsible People since 1988"<br>
<br>
-----Original Message-----<br>
From: <a href="mailto://re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a><br>
[<a href="mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org">mailto:re-wrenches-bounces@lists.re-wrenches.org</a>] On Behalf<br>
Of R Ray Walters<br>
Sent: Friday, July 23, 2010 7:46 AM<br>
To: RE-wrenches<br>
Subject: Re: [RE-wrenches] calculating DC voltage drop<br>
<br>
I try to keep it in copper for DC, as I had always heard of<br>
trouble with Aluminum on DC. (True or Old Wrenches Tale?)<br>
We definitely go to Al on long AC runs, as its whats<br>
available, and the cost difference becomes remarkable.<br>
I've seen small cuts in Al, later corrode completely through<br>
the conductor.(AC run) I'm not sure what would happen it<br>
were DC.<br>
Probably depend on whether it was positive or negative, and<br>
which was bonded to ground? (either accelerate the<br>
corrosion, or act as cathodic protection?)<br>
<br>
R. Walters<br>
<a href="mailto://ray@solarray.com">ray@solarray.com</a><br>
Solar Engineer<br>
--- end of quote ---<br>
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