| Knob and tube wiring simply gets its name from | | | | -A fear exists that the hot and neutral wires can |
| the way it's installed. There are ceramic tubes for | | | | make contact with each other (a potential fire and |
| the cloth covered wires that run through the | | | | safety hazard). |
| wood framing of the house and the knobs are | | | | -The rubber and cloth insulation around the knob |
| used when the wires run alongside or next to the | | | | and tube wiring breaks down over time and |
| wood framing. The two wires (there is no ground | | | | becomes brittle (a potential fire and safety |
| wire) are separated approximately four inches | | | | hazard). |
| apart. One wire is the black "hot" wire, and the | | | | -It would be too costly to maintain or even install |
| other wire is the white "neutral" wire (most knob | | | | this type of wiring today. |
| and tube wires do not have different color | | | | -More importantly perhaps, most insurance |
| insulation jackets that we see in todays | | | | companies are now refusing to provide home |
| wiring). All the connections for knob and tube | | | | owners insurance on houses with existing knob |
| wiring are open and visible. The wires are simply | | | | and tube wiring that is active and live today. |
| spliced and soldered together with older style | | | | -Knob and Tube wiring can not be run in or under |
| fibrous electrical tape around the splices. If this | | | | insulation. This often happens when outside walls |
| electrical tape is not cloth covered, consider it an | | | | or attics are insulated. Older wiring was installed in |
| unprofessional splice. These shiny taped splices | | | | open spaces so that it would stay cool. The |
| need to be upgraded to include a junction box. | | | | insulation around the wires is made of rubber that |
| | | | burns at a relatively low temperature. If |
| Knob and tube wiring was installed in houses up | | | | surrounded by house insulation, the knob and tube |
| until about 1945, although in the rural areas up until | | | | wires will not cool enough and could heat up |
| about 1950. As I already stated, knob and tube | | | | enough to burn. It is important that if an old |
| wiring does not contain a ground wire. A ground is | | | | house is to be insulated, that all knob and tube |
| necessary if you are plugging in todays appliances | | | | wiring be removed and re-wired with todays |
| that have the third prong in the plug. However, if | | | | romex wiring before insulation is added. This is |
| the knob and tube wiring is limited to bedrooms, | | | | one reason why insurance companies will not |
| this is not necessarily a safety hazard. Plugging in | | | | insure homes with knob and tube wiring. They are |
| a two prong lamp or clock is just as safe as a | | | | afraid that home owners will bury the wiring when |
| three prong grounded outlet. But with todays | | | | upgrading their attic or wall insulation. |
| technology (and all the three prong appliances on | | | | -Many appliances that we plug in today contain a |
| the market) the average family will need at least | | | | three prong plug. The large round prong is the |
| one grounded receptacle installed per room in | | | | ground. Many homeowners (with knob and tube |
| order to make the home a much safer and more | | | | wiring) are utiluizing those little three to two prong |
| convenient living area. | | | | adapters for todays appliances. Those three to |
| Knob and tube wiring is not necessarily dangerous. | | | | two prong adaptors bypass the ground safety |
| If it was installed properly and the insulation jacket | | | | circuit. This is a particularly bad idea if you are |
| around the wire is in good condition, and it was | | | | plugging in a computer or television because they |
| not abused with over splicing and connections, and | | | | dissipate harmful static electricity through the |
| it is not buried in house insulation, it can provide | | | | ground wire. Without a true ground, you're putting |
| many more years of reliable service. It is the | | | | yourself and your equipment at risk. |
| wiring that has been abused by homeowners that | | | | -Using knob and tube wiring for wall outlets is |
| make this wiring a potential hazard. On its own, | | | | where hazards are more likely to occur. Everyday |
| knob and tube wiring is not inherently a problem. | | | | items in the bathroom can quickly overload a 15 |
| If the knob and tube wiring is on top of the attic | | | | amp circuit. A 1500 watt hair dryer and a 300 |
| floor (which most are not due to insulation | | | | watt curling iron plus a light bulb will definitely |
| upgrades), it could be easily nicked or the | | | | exceed 15 amps. |
| insulation could be worn off, causing a safety | | | | -A cost effective strategy in the older homes is |
| hazard. If the knob and tube wiring is in a traveled | | | | to abandon any of the electric outlets wired with |
| area or even in an area for "just storage", I highly | | | | knob and tube and have a licensed Electrician |
| recommend that it be protected or replaced. | | | | install new grounded outlets with modern romex |
| Although knob and tube is a workable system, | | | | wiring. You can keep the current knob and tube |
| and completely safe when installed and used | | | | overhead lighting wiring in service. However, I still |
| properly, there are many concerns with this | | | | recommend eventually updating and replacing all of |
| electrical system today: | | | | this old wiring due to issues that I have already |
| -THERE'S NO GROUND WIRE (for more modern | | | | discussed. |
| lifestyle requirements and safety). | | | | |