An Electrician’s Guide to Knob and Tube Wiring

An Electrician’s Guide to Knob and Tube Wiring

As one of the oldest forms of electrical systems, knob and tube wiring is something that might puzzle electricians in the 21st century. Also known as K&T wiring, it is especially common in houses built in the 19th century, through to the 1930s.

When have you come across one of these antiques, what’s the best course of action? In this article, we’ll introduce you to what knob and tube wiring are, then we’ll outline some of the most common pitfalls you may come across with this system!

Let’s get started.

What Is Knob and Tube Wiring?

Knob and tube wiring is one of the oldest standardized forms of electrical installation in the United States and Canada. The name derives from the different components used to arrange the rig.

Business Address: 1981 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto,ON M1R2Z2

Phone No. – (416) 755-2700 Site - https://www.canadianwirewizards.ca Email ID – info@canadianwirewizards.ca

The knobs and tubes (along with cleats and bushings) were typically made of ceramics or rubber and would be affixed to different points along the desired route for the electrical wire, which then would be fed through them and pulled relatively taut.

Additionally, this system allowed for more efficient use of wire, in that the cabling could take the most direct route through a system of knobs and tubes with very little slack. Eventually, knob and tube systems were phased out of use, as safer and more recognizably modern options came onto the market.

What Can Go Wrong with Knob and Tube Wiring?

As these systems generally pre-date much of modern building codes, it’s important to know a few key risks when dealing with K and T wiring. Since these systems are generally quite old, they might be vulnerable to excessive use and lack of maintenance can lead to degradation of the materials.

In extreme cases, sparking is a possibility and an obvious fire hazard for systems that are left untouched for decades without attention. Additionally, the insulation material (known as loom) can erode, become brittle and decay, making it difficult to work with and increasing risks of incidents when working with the wiring.

Dangers of Knob and Tube Wiring for Homeowners Firstly, a homeowner should be aware that these systems are not grounded, and therefore the risk of shock or fire is considerably higher than your average home’s electrical cabling. The question is: can you ground knob and tube wiring?

The simple answer is no—any attempt to add grounded outlets would be dangerous. Additionally, as these wires are generally only very thinly insulated, they are extremely vulnerable to moisture. Moisture and electricity equal increased voltage, and if it gets past the capacity for your system, dangerous shorts become more common.

This is where Canadian Wire Wizards can come in to help. Operating in the Greater Toronto area, we offer a host of wiring and rewiring services, including K&T upgrades or maintenance. If you want to have peace of mind over the safety of your property, reach out to us at (416) 755-2700 or through the contact form on our website.

Original Source Link: https://www.canadianwirewizards.ca/an-electricians-guide-to-knob-andtube-wiring/

Business Address: 1981 Lawrence Ave E, Toronto,ON M1R2Z2

Phone No. – (416) 755-2700 Site - https://www.canadianwirewizards.ca Email ID – info@canadianwirewizards.ca