There are several additional risks in a home wired with aluminum versus a home wired with copper. For example, aluminum wire oxidizes at a greater rate than copper. When aluminum or copper wire is exposed to oxygen, they oxidize, creating a layer of oxidation on the wire.  The oxidation layer on aluminum in particular adds significantly more resistance.  [Note: Most of the time all that is needed is preventive maintenance done to each of the screws and wire connections, (electrical boxes need to be opened and the connections made tight.  It is recommended at least once a year on most connections, more often on areas where appliances, clothes irons, computers, dryers, hair blowers, heaters, and washing machines are used).]  More resistance results in splices heating up hotter and hotter. In some cases, it can heat the conical spring inside twist-on connectors to the point of melting the plastic housing and can potentially lead to major damage to wires, wiring, and the surrounding wall or building.

Another danger in aluminum-wired homes can be found where the existing aluminum wire comes into contact with copper wire in applications known as "pig tailing."  The "Crimp" type connections are failing on many homes that had that type of repair done.  Below the picture shows a non-approved (unsafe) wire-nut repair.

When electricity passes through any wire, it heats up and expands. When the power is off, the wire cools down and contracts. Unfortunately, aluminum and copper expand and contract at different rates! So, when these two metals are inter-spliced under one connection point, this expanding and contracting over and over again can loosen connection points on twist-on connectors - even when they're installed correctly! As they loosen and the wires separate, arching and sparking can occur.  Also the connection can become a small heater that burns everything that is in contact with it.

The AlumiConn (short for aluminum + connector) presents a huge leap in product design that overcomes the need to physically intersplice aluminum and copper wire together! Because the ports on AlumiConn are independent of each other, current can flow from the aluminum wire to the copper through the internal lug.  After inserting the conductor (metal part) part of the wire, screw down the screw until the screw touches the wire, then turn the screw one full turn for the aluminum wire, and one-half turn for the copper wire, then snap close the top.

For further safety and security, each port on the AlumiConn connector comes pre-filled with a proprietary anti-oxidant sealant, further eliminating any possibility of oxidation build up.