My house was built in the early 1970s and is wired with aluminum wiring. I would like to change the light switches to a more contemporary style, and I know that it is best to use aluminum compatible (C0\ALR) switches. However, the only CO\ALR switches I can find are the typical toggle switches. None of the more stylish type switches seem to be compatible with aluminum wiring. I've been told that connecting a short piece of copper wire to the aluminum wire would solve this problem. I was also told that this could be done using a marret that is specifically compatible for joining coppper and aluminum. Do you think that this is a reliable and safe solution? Also, do you know if any "stylish" CO\ALR switches are available, and if so, where I can find them?
Answer:
That's exactly what I did at my house seven years ago and I've had no problems. I used the appropriate marettes for attaching the short copper lengths and they work very well (they should when you consider the cost of each!). As for the switches you speak of, the WWW should be of help here because wholesalers will promote that kind of thing there.
