Possible aluminum wiring?

[groosh]

I have older wiring in my home (built in the early 1900's) which consists of the two black and white wires in a cloth-braided jacket. The wire is silver in color, but I'm wondering if it is just tin-plated copper.

Has aluminum wiring ever been sheathed in cloth? Or just plastic?

[geniere]

This link may help you identify if you have aluminum wire.

http://www.inspect-ny.com/aluminum/recogniz.htm

[HayZee518]

as far as I know and have seen, aluminum has always been in a thermoplastic jacket. the jute fiber you describe did or does have tinned copper inside. if you were to take some pliers and bend the aluminum back and forth, it would break after about 8 flexes, the copper takes a bit more before it breaks.