- Author
- Masters, L. W. | Clark, E. J. | Embree, E. J.
- Title
- Performance of Branch Circuit Electrical Terminations of Copper and Aluminum Non-Metallic Sheathed Cable. Final Report.
- Coporate
- National Bureau of Standards, Washington, DC
- Sponsor
- Department of the Navy, Washington, DC Department of the Air Force, Washington, DC Department of the Army, Washington, DC
- Report
- NBSIR 76-1184, November 1976,
- Distribution
- Available from National Technical Information Service
- Keywords
- wiring; electric cables; aluminum; buildings; copper; performance; military facilities; electric outlets; overheating
- Abstract
- A study was performed to provide the Tri-Services Committee on Building Materials with guidelines regarding the use of aluminum branch circuit wiring in military buildings. The first part of the study consisted of identifying military bases which contain buildings with aluminum wired branch circuits. Personnel at a number of the bases were contacted in order to estimate the extent of observed problems. Laboratory tests were performed on CO/ALR and non-CO/ALR duplex receptacles wired with both aluminum and copper non-metallic sheathed cable. Overheating of aluminum wired termination points was observed with some receptacles in a current cycling test using non-CO/ALR receptacles at screw torque levels of 0.023 and 0.069 kg-m (2 and 6 lb-in). Aluminum wired non-CO/ALR receptacles tested at 0.138 kg-m (12 lb-in) screw torque showed no signs of overheating and copper wired non-CO/ALR receptacles showed no signs of overheating regardless of screw torque. The report presents the findings of the study and includes guidelines regarding the use of aluminum branch circuit wiring in military buildings. (Color illustrations reproduced in black and white.)