outside of house

Aluminum Wiring

If your home was built between the mid-1960s and late 1970s, you may have aluminum wiring.

Some insurers will not provide or renew insurance coverage on homes without an ESA inspection. You may need to repair or replace the wiring and provide your insurer with a copy of the ESA Certificate of Acceptance. Ask your insurance company for their requirements.

Each home is different and must be assessed on its own. ESA recommends hiring a Licensed Electrical Contractor (LEC) familiar the techniques required for working with and repairing aluminum wiring. The LEC should do an assessment, make the necessary repairs, and have the work inspected by ESA. Ask the LEC for a copy of the Certificate of Acceptance for your records.

Facts about aluminum wiring:

  • The Ontario Electrical Safety Code (OESC) permits the installation of aluminum wiring.
  • Aluminum wiring is safe if proper connections and terminations are made without damaging the wire.
  • Only devices approved for aluminum wire are used and installed in accordance with the OESC and the manufacturer’s instructions.
  • Aluminum wiring is widely used today for larger commercial and industrial feeders. Electrical distribution companies use it throughout their distribution systems; in fact, it may still be used today for interior wiring systems in residential homes and other structures.