NEWS from CPSC
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission
Office of Information and Public Affairs Washington, DC 20207
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 1, 2003
Release # 03-120 CPSC Consumer Hotline: (800) 638-2772
CPSC Media Contact: Scott Wolfson, (301) 504-7051
Tyco Electronics Media Contact: Paul Lavenberg, (717) 592-2409
May Is National Electrical Safety Month: Good News for Homeowners -
Aluminum Wiring Fix Still Available
WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)
announced today that Tyco Electronics Corp., of Harrisburg, Pa., has agreed
to continue offering the COPALUM connector repair system until at least 2005
for homes with aluminum wiring. The COPALUM repair system has benefited tens
of thousands of consumers by reducing the risks of dangerous overheating and
fire that can be caused by failing aluminum wiring connections. It is
estimated that 2 million homes were built with aluminum wire between 1965
and 1973.
Warning signs, such as warm-to-the-touch face plates on outlets or switches,
flickering lights, circuits that don't work, or the smell of burning
plastics, can indicate a fire hazard within 15- and 20-ampere aluminum
wiring circuits. A failure in the circuits can lead to electrical arcing and
a serious fire, which can spread within the walls of a home before being
detected.
The COPALUM crimp connector, which has been available for more than 20
years, is the only system recognized by CPSC that provides a complete and
permanent repair and reduces the fire hazard in aluminum wire circuits. The
COPALUM connector system attaches a copper wire to the old aluminum wires
and is then crimped together with a power tool, achieving a "cold weld"
between the conductors. The "cold weld" creates a permanent bond that
eliminates electrical arcing or glowing connections and creates a safer
electrical connection at outlets, switches, lights, circuit breakers, and
panelboard terminals.
The COPALUM connector repair materials and power crimping tools are only
available to electricians who receive training from the manufacturer, to
ensure that repairs are properly made.
"CPSC appreciates Tyco's commitment to protecting the safety of consumers by
continuing to offer
COPALUM connectors," said CPSC Chairman Hal Stratton. "Without the Tyco
Electronics system, the only method for safely upgrading aluminum wiring
systems would be to install new copper circuits, which is often impractical
for consumers."
CPSC believes that "twist-on" connectors, receptacles and switches and other
devices that connect directly to aluminum wires, are an inadequate solution.
The COPALUM crimp connector system provides a safe, permanent fix.
If homeowners are not certain whether their home has aluminum branch circuit
wiring, they can look at the markings on the surface of the electric cables
which may be visible in unfinished basements, attics or garages. Aluminum
wiring will have "Al" or "Aluminum" marked every few feet along the cable. A
home inspector or qualified electrician also can assist in identifying
aluminum wiring. CPSC advises that consumers should not open the interior of
the panelboard or circuit breaker compartment - this can expose live wires
and pose an electrocution hazard.
COPALUM connectors are available from Tyco Electronics under the AMP brand.
Consumers can check
to see if the COPALUM connector system is available in their area by calling
the company at
(800) 522-6752. To order a list of authorized electricians in their area,
consumers can write to:
Tyco Electronics Corp., Attn: Aluminum Wire Repair Program, P.O. Box 3608,
Harrisburg, PA 17105-3608.
If no authorized electrician is currently located nearby, consumers can have
an electrician interested
in repairing their home contact the nearest supplier of AMP- brand COPALUM
connectors for training
and other repair information.
For more information about aluminum wiring and the crimp connector system,
see "Repairing Aluminum
Wiring" (pdf). Consumers can also obtain a free copy of this booklet by
writing to CPSC,
Washington, DC 20207.
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Send the link for this page to a friend! The U.S. Consumer Product Safety
Commission is charged with
protecting the public from unreasonable risks of serious injury or death
from more than 15,000 types
of consumer products under the agency's jurisdiction. Deaths, injuries and
property damage from
consumer product incidents cost the nation more than $700 billion annually.
The CPSC is committed
to protecting consumers and families from products that pose a fire,
electrical, chemical, or mechanical
hazard or can injure children. The CPSC's work to ensure the safety of
consumer products - such as
toys, cribs, power tools, cigarette lighters, and household chemicals -
contributed significantly to the
30 percent decline in the rate of deaths and injuries associated with
consumer products over the past
30 years.
To report a dangerous product or a product-related injury, call CPSC's
hotline at (800) 638-2772 or CPSC's
teletypewriter at (800) 638-8270, or visit CPSC's web site at www.cpsc.gov/talk.html.
To join a CPSC email
subscription list, please go to www.cpsc.gov/cpsclist.asp. Consumers can
obtain this release and recall
information at CPSC's Web site at www.cpsc.gov.
