Know the Facts

Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA) is NOT Aluminum

Peter Graser
August 8, 2023

Despite having the word “aluminum” in its name, Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA) is NOT aluminum.

CCA is a copper bimetal, meaning that it’s capable of making electrical connections with similar metals (like copper and brass) without fear of galvanic corrosion.

Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC)

The CPSC is a federal agency of the United States government. The CPSC seeks to promote the safety of consumer products by issuing and enforcing mandatory standards, banning or recalling unsafe products, researching product hazards, and educating consumers and manufacturers.

CPSC Publication 516

Publication 516 of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), which was first published in 1984, and recently clarified by letter, highlights the difference between aluminum and CCA, namely by excluding CCA from remediation recommended for homes built from the 1950s to the 1970s that were wired with small circuit aluminum conductors.

CPSC Letter

In a 2023 letter from the CPSC Director – Division of Electrical Engineering and Fire Sciences, Andrew Trotta clarified that the CPSC does not recommend that Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA) wire be remediated, as it does for aluminum wire. Rather, the CPSC recognizes by its letter that CCA is suitable for direct connection to copper conductors and copper-rated 15 and 20 ampere wiring devices.

Publication 516 is a public document published on cpsc.gov. The CPSC letter was published with author's approval.
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