Aluminum wiring in a 1969 Cary home: new panel, AFCI breakers and AlumiConn repairs
The homeowners were worried about their aluminum branch wiring. We priced every option, from a full rewire down, and they chose a new panel with AFCI breakers, surge protection and AlumiConn connectors at every device.
- TownCary
- AreaSavon Heights
- Home built1969
- CompletedJuly 2026
- ElectricianJacob
The story
What the homeowners called about
They were worried about the aluminum wiring in their 1969 home.
What we found
The original ITE panel needed to be replaced. Replacing it also let us add AFCI breakers and whole-house surge protection.
What we couldn't know until we opened it up
The condition of the panel itself.
The options we gave them
Option 1: rewire the house, replacing every aluminum branch circuit. Option 2: keep the existing wiring and make it safer, with AlumiConn connectors adding copper at every device and fixture, a new main panel with AFCI breakers, and a whole-house surge protector.
What they chose, and why
Option 2. Loose connections are the main problem with aluminum branch circuits: they heat up and can arc, which is a fire risk. AFCI breakers trip when they detect arcing, so every circuit now has a failsafe, and the AlumiConn connectors deal with the connections themselves. They also had every device and trim plate replaced.
A full rewire was on the table, and we priced it. Our electricians aren't paid on what you spend, so we put both options in writing and let the homeowners choose.
