Will Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA) Building Wire Last for Decades?

The Truth About CCA's Longevity in Residential Wiring, an industry perspective from Greg Olsen at Copperweld

BRENTWOOD, Tenn., March 5, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- For over half a century, Copper-Clad Aluminum (CCA) building wire has been installed in family homes across the United States, silently demonstrating its long-term reliability and safety. Yet, despite CCA's proven performance and growing adoption, outdated misconceptions — often stemming from confusion with past wiring materials — continue to fuel concerns that don't align with its long-standing safety record. Year after year, test after test, CCA building wire proves itself as a durable wiring solution that continually meets product safety standards — both in the lab and in the field.

A 50-Year Track Record of Performance

CCA emerged in the 1970s in response to a copper shortage, offering a cost-effective alternative that maintained copper's essential conductive properties. Unlike other wiring materials introduced during the same era, CCA's unique construction addressed key concerns that had surfaced with alternative conductors like aluminum.

Aluminum wiring suffered from termination issues due to its inherent oxide layer (a dielectric), ultimately resulting in electrical fires. CCA's innovative design sought to correct these issues by replacing the surface-oxide layer with a substantial layer of copper cladding, eliminating the termination concerns of aluminum wiring. This innovative construction allowed CCA to perform reliably in residential electrical systems for over 50 years, proving its long-term viability without the need for additional maintenance.

Building on its five-decade record of reliability, CCA NM-B cable has consistently passed rigorous evaluations from Nationally Recognized Testing Laboratories (NRTLs), including Underwriters Laboratories (UL) and Intertek (ETL). These independent certifications confirm that CCA NM-B meets or exceeds the requirements for use in residential electrical systems. These required tests verify conductivity, insulation performance, mechanical robustness, and thermal properties. This ongoing third-party validation assures builders, electricians, and homeowners of its enduring safety and reliability.

Insights from Electrical Safety Experts

This extensive history of testing and real-world validation is further supported by the experiences of seasoned electrical inspectors who have worked with CCA for decades.

Steve Conrad, a former Chief Electrical Inspector for the state of Colorado, has firsthand experience with CCA, dating back to the mid-1970s. Having wired hundreds of homes with CCA and later inspecting them, Conrad has seen its real-world reliability firsthand. Over the years, Conrad confirmed that he never encountered a single service call related to CCA wiring failures. His confidence in the material extends beyond his professional experience — he even lived in a CCA-wired home for years without a single electrical issue.

"In all my years as an electrician and an inspector, I've never seen any problems with CCA wiring," Conrad stated. "As long as the installer follows typical best practices, CCA performs just as well as solid copper wire."

Jim Davis, another seasoned electrical inspector with decades of experience in Florida and Oregon, echoed these sentiments. Having worked extensively in electrical installations and inspections, Davis observed that CCA-wired homes never required remediation during his tenure. "I had more service calls related to loose connections on pure copper wiring than on CCA," he noted. "To the best of my knowledge and experience, CCA conductor splices and terminations installed using a code-compliant method provide a trouble-free life of service equivalent to that of copper. My own house, wired with CCA since the mid-1970s, is living proof."

Their observations have been reaffirmed at the highest levels by federal safety agencies. CCA's track record of safety was further validated in a 2022 letter from Andrew Trotta, Director of the Division of Electrical Engineering and Fire Sciences at the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC), confirming that no records exist requiring the remediation of CCA-wired homes. This federal validation reinforces what decades of real-world performance have already demonstrated — CCA building wire is not just a safe and durable copper alternative — it's a time-tested solution for residential wiring.

Conclusion

Will CCA building wire last for decades? It already has. And it's not just surviving — it's thriving.

Backed by a half-century of proven performance, code compliance, and expert validation, CCA has earned its place as a trusted wiring solution. Builders, electricians, and inspectors continue to rely on it, reinforcing its value as a safe, cost-effective alternative to solid copper. And, those who work with CCA continue to affirm its long-term performance, dispelling outdated misconceptions with facts and firsthand experience.

With decades of proven performance, endorsements from leading electrical inspectors, and rigorous third-party testing, CCA has rightfully earned its place as a trusted, long-lasting wiring solution — a code-compliant copper alternative that will continue to deliver safe and reliable electrical service for generations to come.

Learn more about Copperweld building wire products.

Copperweld is the world leader in bimetallic wire and cable specializing in power, grounding, and signal conductors for building construction, power grid, utilities, communications, and transportation. For over 100 years, their mission has been to make the most reliable, sustainable, and innovative wire and cable products on the market. Copperweld's metallurgical expertise and engineered solutions result in bimetallic products that enhance performance, extend service life, conserve copper, improve energy efficiency, and reduce theft incentives. Their American-made products are manufactured in the USA, and the culture of excellence and innovation that inspired them over a century ago still drives them today.

Sources:

1. Andrew Trotta letter: https://bit.ly/cpsc-cca-letter 

SOURCE Copperweld