I have noticed that HGTV shows like Home Detective dont inspect the home's electrical system! I have only seen a few episodes but each one has completly ignored the most important and potentialy dangerous/costly area of a home! I have been a professional electrician for the past twelve years and I really hope I can help the shows of HGTV and the people who watch them by offering my knowledge and expierance

Welcome to the board nickromano.

In the ten years + that I have been a Realtor all the home inspectors my customers have hired have checked the electrical work. And it paid off on some of them.

I am sure your expertise will be very helpful to the people on this board.

Yeah.....how about all the people who bought houses with aluminum wiring that wasn't properly installed.

aluminum wiring in homes (including service feeders) can work properly and safely as long as it's serviced at least once a year. A homeowner can do most of that service themselvs on all switches,recepticals and lighting outlets as long as the circuits are off and some simple guide lines are followed. Panal work and service feeders are crucial elements that must be serviced only by a qualified electrician.

One easy way to fix the aluminum wiring problem is to pig tail the ends with an approved copper connection.
http://www.faqs.org/faqs/electrical-wiring/part2/section-16.html

Was alumnimum wiring used during a particular time period? Or is this something that is still currently used during construction?

It was used inside some houses during the '70's. It is not used any more. The main service to a home junction box from a pole or under ground is still aluminum, but the connection is not the same.

Rather than a "do it yourself" guide, HERE IS a pretty in depth story from the WA Post that addresses aluminum wiring.

CONSUMERS WHO HAVE NOT HAD THOROUGH ELECTRICAL TRAINING SHOULD NOT ATTEMPT TO INSPECT THEIR HOME WIRING SYSTEM OR MAKE ANY ELECTRICAL REPAIRS OR ADJUSTMENTS BEFORE SEEKING EXPERT ADVICE. SERIOUS OR FATAL ELECTRIC SHOCK COULD RESULT.
A very valid observation by HomeDude.