I wouldn't allow aluminum wire to be used in my house--or at least not at any point after the electric meter.
Yes, the electrical code allows aluminum wire in some cases, and if installed correctly it is supposed to be safe.
From what i understand, nicking aluminum wire, failing to use antioxidant paste on the connections, or torquing it incorrectly may all cause it to oxidize and start a fire.
If you're only going to own the house for 10 or 20 years and don't care what happens to the next owner, then it's probably fine. If you're in it for the long haul, then it seems like a foolish economy.
Recent amendments to the California electrical code require copper wire (i.e. ban Al wire) for most residential purposes:
Article 310.2(b) is hereby amended by the addition of a second paragraph to read as follows:
Copper wire shall be used for wiring No. six (6) and smaller in all installations. Consideration for use of aluminum wiring can be made by the Building Official for feeder lines only on an individual basis were adequate safety measures can be ensured.
But if you really, really want to use Al wire there does seem to be an exception:
310.106 Continuous inspection of aluminum wiring.
Aluminum conductors of No. six (6) or smaller used for branch circuits shall require continuous inspection by an independent testing agency approved by the Building Official for proper torqueing of connections at their termination point.
I don't know what "continuous inspection" means, but it sounds expensive.
Also, Farmers Insurance recently cancelled the fire insurance on our 3 unit building in San Francisco (built in 1908--just after the Earthquake). Our insurance agent said that most insurers in California will not insure a building that has aluminum wiring, knob and tube wiring (which we have), fuses, or circuit breaker panels made by Federal Pacific, Zinsco, Challenger, or Sylvania GTE. We had to pay $$$ to get insurance from a one of the two companies willing to insure a building with knob & tube, and we also had to have it inspected by a licensed electrician.
A good web page provided by the state of California for those unfortunate enough to have Al wiring in their homes:
https://www.connectcalifornia.com/utilities/aluminum-wiring-home-buyers
References for the electrical code (admittedly, these are references to the electrical code for two cities in California, not California as a whole, but they are both titled CALIFORNIA ELECTRICAL CODE
https://www.codepublishing.com/CA/LakeElsinore/html/LakeElsinore15/LakeElsinore1538.html
https://library.municode.com/ca/san_marcos/codes/code_of_ordinances?nodeId=TIT17BUCOREAC_CH17.12CAELCO_17.12.010AD#:~:text=Article%20310.3(B)%20is%20amended,oxidation%20of%20the%20aluminum%20wire.
Numerous studies have examined the advantages and disadvantages of copper and fiber data wiring. For example, one study in Mdantsane, South Africa published in the Journal on Innovation and Sustainability found the initial cost of deploying fiber optic networks was the biggest hurdle in choosing fiber cabling. Another study by Logeshwaran in the Journal on Communication Technology indicates some essential considerations in choosing the best network cabling system—first, versatility in accommodating data, voice, and video, second, compatibility with active equipment, third, ease of maintenance when updating the configuration, and 4) reliability during the entire service life of the system. In our research of the two cable network systems, most indicate the high cost of fiber as a prohibitive factor for implementation. However, a study by Jim Hayes published in the Electrical Contractor concluded that you should consider the cost of a 'complete network, not just its cabling costs' to determine its cost-effectiveness. When doing so, fiber cabling systems 'are comparable to those of Cat 6 copper cabling.' This article explores the pros and cons of fiber and copper and the virtues of using one cabling system over the other. Below are the pros and cons of the two wiring systems.
Copper wire is less expensive, making it more economical for small businesses or home networks.
Copper wire is reliably available from local retailers, making it a popular choice for network applications.
Copper wire is compatible with most existing infrastructures, providing an easy upgrade for outdated networks.
Copper wire is durable and a reliable option for outdoor applications.
Copper wire has a restricted bandwidth, which is unsuitable for transmitting large amounts of data over long distances.
Copper wire is susceptible to electromagnetic interference, which can cause data loss or corruption.
Copper wire can experience signal degradation over long distances, which can cause data loss or errors.
Copper wire has a short transmission distance, often less than 300 feet, which is unsuitable for long-distance data transmission.
Fiber optic cables possess an elevated bandwidth over copper wire, making them desirable for transmitting large amounts of data over long distances.
Fiber optic cables are immune to electromagnetic interference, making them more reliable in noisy environments.
Fiber optic cables provide high-quality signal transmission, reducing the risk of data loss or errors.
Fiber optic cables transmit data over long distances without signal degradation, making them superior for long-distance transmissions.
Fiber optic cables are generally more expensive than copper wire, making them a less economical choice for small businesses or home networks.
Fiber optic cables require specialized installation and handling, which can increase installation costs.
Fiber wiring, connections, and network equipment are more difficult to obtain, are often out of stock, and are often prioritized for large bulk orders.
Fiber optic cables are incompatible with existing copper wire infrastructure, making them a more difficult upgrade for older networks.
The chart below compares the 14 most important differences between copper and fiber wiring. Fiber has the advantage in all comparisons regarding performance. Copper has the edge with lower cost, accessibility, and compatibility with existing networking systems in many established business enterprises. However, the high price for improved technology can often outweigh the advantages of increased performance. For high-tech companies with high bandwidth requirements, performance is a necessity.
FeatureCopper CablesFiber Optic CablesSpeedLimited to a few Gbps over short distancesCan transmit data at speeds of up to 400 Gbps over long distancesDistance300 Ft. @ 1 Gbps12 Miles+ @ 10 GbpsBandwidth10 Gbps60 Tbps +InterferenceProne to electromagnetic interference, RFI, crosstalk, noise, and voltage surgesFull immunitySecurityVulnerable to tapping and interceptionDifficult to tap or intercept without specialized equipmentSizeRelatively large and bulkyMuch smallerFlexibilityFlexible, but experiences signal loss with significant bendingHighly flexible, low signal loss with bendingWeight (per 1,000 ft)39 lbs.4 lbs.InstallationThicker diameter, more routing issues, low pulling strengthEasy to install and maintain, thin diameter, strong pulling strengthEnergyConsumption >10W per user2W per userLifecycle5-years30 to 50-yearsFuture ProofContinues to fall short of the increasing network demands and technological advancesExpected to stay ahead of technology advances for some timeCompatibilityMost compatible with the pre-existing network and communication systemsOften requires replacing old networking communication systemsAvailabilityEasily accessible and almost always in stockMore challenging to find the correct item in stockCostLess expensive compared to fiber optic cablesMore expensive compared to copper cables
Fiber optic cables offer superior performance compared to copper cables, especially over long distances. They provide higher data transmission rates, larger bandwidths and are immune to electromagnetic interference. Copper cables, however, are still widely used for short-distance networking since they are less expensive. In addition, network devices that require more bandwidth, higher speeds, and more reliable internet connectivity, such as security cameras, digital signage, and VoIP phone systems, make fiber optic cable the obvious choice for those who provide telecommunications and internet. To determine the best option for your business, it is best to have a to visit your office and assess your specific networking needs. Call Les Olson IT at 801-922-5060 to schedule a free network analysis.