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Aluminum safe NEMA 14-50 male plug?
I am looking for a NEMA 14-50 male plug that is safe for use with Aluminum wire. Anyone have a link on where to find one? I see the female receptacles all over if I put it in a box which I could do. But still need the male plug so I have a drop cord.
Backstory – while doing some home renovations we eliminated a subpanel that was no longer in use so I saved the #4 AWG Aluminum feeder wire. I would like to reuse this cable as a drop cord if I am too far from a pedestal or a friend visits and needs extra length.
For that matter what is the reason not to use Aluminum wire in Copper fixtures that say Copper only? Google searches give all kinds of conflicting stories.
Or should I just take the Aluminum cable to a scrap yard for cash then buy copper?
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3 Replies
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The detrimental action is called “electrolysis”. Better off taking to recycle and gey more copper
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I’m neither an electrician nor a metallurgist … but I recall being told some time ago that if you have an opportunity, to replace aluminum with copper. I can’t remember the science. I’d talk to a good electrician who could provide you with a recommendation.
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A good electrician? No such thing in these parts!
Had two pros working on the house who ignored this. Two others gave quotes but didn’t mention this was a danger. I found it when checking for frozen pipes in crawlspace.
Now I do my own work with consultation of library books.
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