Aluminum wiring in BC homes, installed mainly from the mid-1960s to the mid-1970s, is fixed one of two ways. Pigtailing joins short copper tails to every aluminum connection with an approved connector and leaves the walls closed. Rewiring replaces the aluminum with copper cable. Access, insurer and budget decide which fits.
Is aluminum wiring dangerous?
Aluminum wire is not the problem on its own. The Electrical Safety Authority (Ontario's regulator) says aluminum wiring is safe if proper connections and terminations are made without damaging the wire. The risk sits at the connections: aluminum tends to oxidize, and connections to devices designed for copper can loosen with the expansion and contraction of the conductor.
A US Consumer Product Safety Commission survey found homes built before 1972 and wired with aluminum were 55 times more likely to have connections reach "fire hazard conditions" than homes wired with copper. That is a US survey of connections at outlets, but it shaped how the problem is treated across North America.
BC has its own case. The BC Safety Authority (now Technical Safety BC) documented a 2015 incident in Mission where an incompatible receptacle on 40 to 45-year-old aluminum branch wiring overheated. The investigation found the receptacle was marked for copper wire only and had likely been installed by an unqualified person. BC Electrical Code rule 2-024 requires equipment to be approved for the purpose it is used for.
How can I tell if my house has aluminum wiring?
Most aluminum wiring was installed as plastic-sheathed cable that looks like copper cable. The CPSC says to look at the markings printed or embossed on the cable jacket in an unfinished basement, attic or garage. Aluminum cable is marked "Al" or "Aluminum". Copper-clad aluminum is a different product and is not covered by the same repair recommendations, so have an electrician confirm what you have.
Warning signs include hot face plates on receptacles or switches, flickering lights, circuits that do not work, and the smell of burning plastic at outlets. Do not open boxes to investigate. Have a licensed electrician determine the cause.
What are my repair options?
| Option | What it is | Points to know |
|---|---|---|
| Rewire in copper | New copper cable replaces the aluminum branch circuits | The CPSC calls it the best method, but for many homes it is impractical or expensive because of wall access |
| COPALUM crimp | A special crimped connector joins a copper tail to each aluminum wire | The CPSC considers it permanent; only trained installers can use the tool |
| AlumiConn connector | A set-screw connector joins the copper tail | The CPSC lists it as the next best option where COPALUM is unavailable, and notes it was too new in 2011 to have a long track record |
| Twist-on connectors or other crimp connectors | Common hardware-store connectors | The CPSC recommends against them as a repair |
The CPSC is a US agency and its publication dates from 2011, so use it for the principle and ask your electrician which connector they use and how it is approved under BC rules. A pigtail repair should cover every connection, including outlets, switches, fixtures, appliances, junction boxes and panel boxes, not just the outlets.
What does pigtailing involve?
In a pigtail repair, a short length of copper wire is attached to the end of each aluminum wire at every connection point, and the copper tail goes to the switch, receptacle or other device. The repaired system then uses standard wiring devices. The CPSC stresses that the repair should include every connection or splice involving aluminum, including outlets, dimmers, switches, fixtures, appliances and junction boxes, and that careful, professional workmanship is what makes it safe and permanent.
Pigtailing vs rewiring: which should I choose?
- Pigtailing suits a finished house where opening walls is costly or disruptive. It reuses the existing aluminum conductors and fixes the connections.
- Rewiring suits a house already in renovation, or one with other problems such as ungrounded circuits or an old panel. It removes the aluminum entirely.
- Mixed. Some homes combine the two, rewiring accessible circuits and pigtailing the rest.
For rewire cost drivers, see cost to rewire a house in Victoria. If your house also has two-prong outlets, read ungrounded outlets in older BC homes. Our knob and tube guide covers the other common older-home wiring issue.
What will it cost?
We did not find a published Greater Victoria range for pigtailing, so we are not quoting a number. The main drivers are how many connections there are (every outlet, switch, fixture and appliance), the connector type, how accessible the boxes are, and whether wiring is rewired in sections. A licensed electrician needs to count the connections before giving a price. Contact us for a free quote and see our renovations and rewiring service.
What should I ask a contractor?
- How many aluminum connections are in the house, and does the quote cover all of them, including appliances and the panel?
- Which connector will be used, and how is it approved for aluminum-to-copper connections under BC rules?
- Who applies for the permit, and will I receive the inspection record?
- What documentation will I have to show my insurer?
- Would rewiring some circuits during a renovation make more sense?
What about insurance?
The ESA reports that some insurers will not provide or renew coverage on older homes unless an inspection is done and a certificate is provided. Rules vary by insurer, so ask yours what documentation it accepts before you choose a repair, and keep the permit and inspection records from whoever does the work.
Who should do the work?
A licensed electrical contractor who has worked with aluminum wiring. Do not try to replace devices yourself: the Mission incident shows how a wrong device on aluminum wire becomes a hazard. You can check a contractor on Technical Safety BC.
Frequently asked questions
Which years had aluminum wiring in BC homes?
The CPSC says cable installed between 1965 and the mid-1970s may contain aluminum branch wiring, and that homes built before 1965 are unlikely to have it.
Is pigtailing a permanent fix?
The CPSC considers a COPALUM pigtail repair permanent when it covers every connection, and lists the AlumiConn connector as the next best alternative. It recommends against twist-on connectors as a repair method.
Can I replace the outlets myself?
No. A device that is not rated for aluminum wire caused the 2015 Mission incident documented by BC's safety authority. Have a licensed electrician do any work on aluminum circuits.
Will my insurer require a repair?
Some insurers will not provide or renew coverage on homes with aluminum wiring without an inspection and certificate. Ask your insurer what it accepts.
How do I know if wiring is copper-clad aluminum?
The cable jacket is marked "CU-clad" or "Copper-clad" as well as "Al". The CPSC says those are not covered by its repair recommendations, so get an electrician to identify the cable.
Sources
Last verified October 8, 2026. Rebates, codes and prices change; confirm with the program or Technical Safety BC before you rely on them.