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Aluminium Wiring In The House
Your home has aluminium wiring — a material that requires special attention due to fire risks at connections.
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What's happening?
Aluminium wiring was used in some UK homes during the 1960s and 1970s as a cheaper alternative to copper. While aluminium is a reasonable conductor, it expands and contracts more than copper when heated, which causes connections to loosen over time. Loose connections create hot spots that are a serious fire risk. Aluminium also oxidises, increasing resistance at terminations.
What usually causes it?
- Property was built or wired during the 1960s–1970s when aluminium was used
- Council housing and social housing from that era commonly used aluminium
- Aluminium cables were used on socket circuits to reduce material costs
- Connections have loosened over decades of thermal cycling
- Copper and aluminium have been mixed at connections without proper anti-oxidant compound
Is it dangerous?
Aluminium wiring is a known fire risk, primarily at connection points. The aluminium expands when carrying current and contracts when it cools, gradually working connections loose. Loose connections overheat and can ignite surrounding materials. This risk increases with age. Aluminium wiring combined with copper terminations (without proper treatment) accelerates corrosion and increases the danger.
Can I fix it myself?
No. Do not attempt to work on aluminium wiring. Aluminium requires special connectors, anti-oxidant compound, and torque settings that are different from copper. Standard copper-rated connectors used on aluminium will almost certainly become loose and overheat. Any work on aluminium wiring must be done by a qualified electrician experienced with this material.
When should you call an electrician?
Call an electrician if you discover or suspect aluminium wiring in your property, if you notice warm or discoloured sockets or switches, if you smell burning from electrical fittings, or if an EICR has identified aluminium wiring. An experienced electrician can advise on whether to rewire or treat the connections.
What will the electrician actually do?
- Identify the extent of aluminium wiring throughout the property
- Inspect all connection points for signs of overheating or looseness
- Apply anti-oxidant compound and re-torque connections using aluminium-rated connectors
- Install copper pigtails at connection points where appropriate
- Recommend a full or partial rewire if the aluminium cables are in poor condition
- Issue an EICR documenting the findings and any remedial work
What will it cost to fix?
£200–£8,000
Treating connections at termination points is cheaper (£200–£600). A full rewire to replace all aluminium with copper costs £3,000–£8,000+ depending on property size.
Find an electricianFrequently asked questions
We’re happy to answer all your questions.
How can I tell if I have aluminium wiring?
Aluminium cables are silver-grey in colour rather than the copper-orange of copper cables. Check in your loft, under floorboards, or at the consumer unit. An electrician can confirm during an EICR.
Do I need to rewire if I have aluminium wiring?
Not always. If the aluminium cables are in good condition, connections can be treated with anti-oxidant compound and aluminium-rated connectors. A full rewire is recommended if the cables are deteriorated or connections are damaged.
Is aluminium wiring still used today?
Aluminium is rarely used in domestic installations in the UK today. Copper is the standard. Aluminium is still used for high-voltage supply cables and some commercial installations.
Can I connect copper to aluminium?
Direct copper-to-aluminium connections corrode over time due to galvanic action. Special bi-metallic connectors or anti-oxidant compound must be used. This is a job for a qualified electrician.
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