At 19:26 26/09/99 -0400, you wrote:
>> Normal use causes the aluminum to loosen at all connections due to
>> thermal contractions and expansions at the joints.
>>
>> Aluminum is one of those materials that "cold flows".  If anyone ever
>> tinned a stranded copper wire and put it under a screw terminal, they
>> know about loose connections and cold flow.  It WILL get loose, no
>> matter what the fixtures were designed for.
>
>This should be why in USA they use screw and spring connections at the
>power outlets. At the first time I saw a solid wire just inserted into
>the spring blade contact I thought it was just a faster way to do the
>wiring, even representing a very weak contact compared to what could be
>if using the screw just aside the same power outlet.
>
>It is some kind of a double fork where the solid wire enters but can not
>gets out, it keeps a spring pressure electric contact to the wire.
>
>Of course the screw connection would be much stronger, but... probably
>for aluminum wire this is the answer.
>
>Some of my house's power outlets (w/aprox 8 amps consume) needed to be
>replaced right after 6 years of use, at the new ones I used the screws.
>The previous wires got superheated and the isolation burnt at that
>spring loaded contact...
>
>By the way, some experiences with transformers using aluminum wire?  :)
>
>Wagner.
>
>

It seems that you are suffering under the guize of Eddisons total lack of
forsight. Pathetic 120V distrobution, at least we got that right, and we
have the oldest power plug standard in the world. To think that some idiots
where thinking of forcing us to change to your quazi standard! Thank Andy's
g-d that, that didn't happen!

As of aluminuim cable, well we use T.P.S. and it only comes in copper, I
can recall some articals on the use od Au, but it was rejected due to the
cost of retraining electricans, and all the aterations that would be
required for fittings, and then there was the wire cost, very little
difference. The drop wire (Or feeder into the house is Au, and so too are
most power cables)

(I am waiting for all the comebacks on 11kV 22kV 220kV distrobuition and
500kV 1 and 2 and 5 MegV stuff, then 1500V DC and 600VDC, come on I can
take it <G>)


Dennis