{"id":7038,"date":"2022-06-07T15:09:00","date_gmt":"2022-06-07T15:09:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.rgelectric.net\/?p=7038"},"modified":"2022-06-07T15:09:36","modified_gmt":"2022-06-07T15:09:36","slug":"knob-and-tube-wiring-problems","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.rgelectric.net\/blog\/knob-and-tube-wiring-problems\/","title":{"rendered":"Knob and Tube Wiring Problems"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Knob and Tube Wiring Problems<\/h1>\n\n\n\n

Many homes in the USA built between 1800 to 1940s have knob and tube wiring. And if you live in one of those buildings, it means that your electrical system is ungrounded, which isn\u2019t good. How can you know if you live in a house with k&t wiring? <\/p>\n\n\n\n

What is Knob and Tube Wiring?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Knob and tube wiring is often found in attics and basements. It features wiring insulated with rubber that runs through ceramic and porcelain knobs and tubes. This is an unsafe system that has only hot and neutral wires. Without a third ground fire, people are always in danger of fire hazards and electrocution.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Let\u2019s look at the most common knob and tube wiring problems. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Knob and Tube Wiring Problems<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Any of the problems mentioned below can lead to overheating, short circuits, and shock and fire. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

There\u2019s No Ground Wire<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Unlike modern wiring, k&t has no ground wire. It means that your wall outlets can\u2019t accommodate grounded electrical appliances with three-pronged plugs. In case of fault, neither you nor your electrical devices are protected. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Black and White Wires Run Separately<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Two wires in knob and tube wiring run separately, whereas three wires (black, white, and green) run through one cable in a new one. They are more likely to stretch and sag over time creating dangerous situations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

K&T Wiring Has Rubber Insulation<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

The so-called \u201copen\u201d rubber insulation wears out quicker, and the ceramic tubes and knobs break. Besides, it is prohibited to envelop them with household insulation because it should be able to dissipate the heat in free air that accumulates due to the electrical current flowing through it.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Damaged Wiring in Attic <\/h3>\n\n\n\n

When you have knob and tube wiring in an attic, it is subject to damage from people walking around. It can also be damaged by animals that get inside the attic and chew on it. And with degraded insulation exposed to high temperatures in summer, it breaks down. Then conductors get bared and exposed. We\u2019ve seen that many times. And the exposed conductor is always a shock hazard and certainly, a fire hazard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Installation Incompatibility<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

So you have k&t wiring, and you want to install a new light fixture. The problem is that modern light fixtures are graded with 90o<\/sup>C, while knob and tube wiring is graded 60 degrees. When the old wire gets run into the new fixture, the insulation gets hot, and it will fall off. We\u2019ve also seen that many times. So if you have old wiring and your lights are flickering<\/a> all the time, you know where the shoe pinches. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

In a nutshell, this old-fashioned k&t wiring is especially fraught with dangers when it has been: <\/p>\n\n\n\n