A very trusted and long time friend who's getting ready to retire from the Eng. Dept. of one of the largest electric power companies in the USA had this to say about the use of aluminum...
and I'm paraphrasing...
We use aluminum wire all over the place. From .100" in diameter to 2.125" in diameter. From transmission lines to sub-stations to distribution lines.
But we buy fittings that are made for aluminum wire only.
All the wires from the pole to a residential home are made out of aluminum and the circuit breaker boxes are so designed to facilitate the use of aluminum without issues.
No big deal.
The problems arise when people try and use aluminum going directly to copper or brass connection and electrolysis occurs creating a galvanic reaction.
The power companies are sometimes forced to have direct copper to aluminum contact but they use a "special" grease that prevents the galvanic reation.
Although he did say that he's seen the special fittings, that were covered in grease, where the galvanic reation had destroyed the connection.
and I'm paraphrasing...
We use aluminum wire all over the place. From .100" in diameter to 2.125" in diameter. From transmission lines to sub-stations to distribution lines.
But we buy fittings that are made for aluminum wire only.
All the wires from the pole to a residential home are made out of aluminum and the circuit breaker boxes are so designed to facilitate the use of aluminum without issues.
No big deal.
The problems arise when people try and use aluminum going directly to copper or brass connection and electrolysis occurs creating a galvanic reaction.
The power companies are sometimes forced to have direct copper to aluminum contact but they use a "special" grease that prevents the galvanic reation.
Although he did say that he's seen the special fittings, that were covered in grease, where the galvanic reation had destroyed the connection.