Wenatchee and Chelan Home Inspections- Tinned Wires in homes

The use of copper wiring electroplated with tin for insulated electric wires was originated by Siemens in 1915 (almost pushing a hundred).

The original purpose was to prevent corrosion of copper by the sulfur in the rubber, and also prevents the rubber from deteriorating abnormally fast by contact with the copper (win-win).

Today in the marine industry and electronics tinned copper uses are similar to normal copper but may be a better choice for durability at high temperatures, complete oxidation resistance and easy to weld high conductivity (even in the absence of oxygen). The fact that the solder takes easily to plated copper makes it an ideal material for the manufacture of various electrical and electronic equipment.

This may be why many thought it was plated to be easier to solder. There was another added benefit of tin plating was that the early rubber would adhere to the copper and the tinning made the wires easier to strip.

The issues with this type of wiring is that it is old and usually not on a grounded circuit and that the rubber as it ages dries out, becoming very brittle, cracking, and losing its dielectric properties. The areas of most concern in junction boxes for lights and switches where the rubber has been heated.

So you couple that with almost always these connection are in metal junction boxes with no grounds. You may be able to guess what is next (zap!!!). You will often see scorching in these boxes.

If you are buying an older home with these older electrical systems it is very important to have a thorough examination of the electrical system.

“Inspecting the World-One Home at a time”

NCW Home Inspections, LLC  is located in Wenatchee Washington serving Chelan County, Douglas County, Kittitas County, Okanogan County and Grant County Washington and the cities of Wenatchee, Leavenworth, Cashmere, Orville, Cle Elum, East Wenatchee, Quincy and many more…                             

NCW Home Inspections LLC-509-670-9572