I used to think 100% copper wire was always worth the extra cost

For years I wouldn't touch copper-clad aluminum for any job. Then I rewired a 1950s house in Austin last fall and the homeowner had already bought CCA for the whole run. I used it, saved them about $400, and after 8 months of follow-up checks the circuits are still solid. Now I recommend CCA for long branch circuits under moderate load. Anyone else had good luck with something they used to hate on?

2 comments

2 Comments

verawhite2d ago

Oh man, that house in Austin sounds like a real test. I had a similar turnabout with CCA after dragging my feet for years. Did a rental property in Phoenix a couple years back, and the owner insisted on it to save money. Ran about 500 feet of 12 gauge for ceiling fans and outlets, and that stuff has been holding up fine through some brutal summers. Never thought I'd say it, but for simple lighting and general use circuits, it gets the job done without any issues so far.

alice_hart2d ago

Hold up, did you have any trouble with the terminations at the breakers or switches? I remember reading somewhere that CCA needs special anti-oxidant paste or something on the connections, but when I did that Austin job I just torqued everything down good and called it a day... Always figured the aluminum oxide thing was overblown for residential stuff, but maybe I'm just lucky so far.