Aluminum or copper tin?

[Danielwareham]

Did an PIR today. Not come across alu before and wondered if there were any tell, tell signs between alu and copper tin? Was alu coloured and seemed different to work with than copper but not 100%. Wouldn't say it was brittle to work with like you might expect with alu. 1930's 3 bed updated 60/70's.

Thanks

 

[Knobhead]

Tined copper will be brighter than aluminium, but if you’ve not worked with either that won’t help. Disconnect one terminal and snip 2mm off the end, all will become clear then.
Despite all the scare mongering aluminium doesn’t always fry the insulation. Properly terminated it will last as well as copper.

 

[Engineer54]

In the 70s they used what was called ''copper clad'' T&E, for house wiring and the like. ...It didn't last too long on the market!! Minimum size Ally cable you can now use for electrical installation is i think 16mm, which has an official current rating around that of a 10mm copper equivalent cable... I've always considered Ally cables as a false economy, too many disadvantages as opposed to any real advantages...lol!!!