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Older homes have a lot of charm that new homes can lack, and are often built as solid as a rock. But do you know that if your home was built in the 1940s or prior that it could be powered by a very outdated electrical system?
Powering your home with outdated knob and tube wiring can cause a lot more issues than just inconveniently blown fuses. The fact is that knob tube wiring can pose a real danger of fire and electrical shock.
Keep on reading to learn all about tube and knob wiring and why you should have it professionally replaced in your home.
A Little History
Knob and tube wiring began its use in homes and businesses in the 1880s, it was the innovation that first brought electricity into our homes.
It consists of a copper wire that is insulated by either a sheath of thick woven cloth, a rubber sheath, or in some cases by both. These wires run through holes drilled into the wall joists which are protected by a porcelain knob that insulates the wire.
Several other types of wiring came out over the years following, but knobs and tubes can still be found in houses built up until around the 1940s. It’s worth noting that the BX wiring that tube and knob got replaced with is also now outdated, and should probably be replaced.
The technology behind knob and tube wiring is now over 100 years old. While it was a breakthrough in its time we have learned a lot about electricity since then.
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What are the Dangers of Knob and Tube Wiring
In theory, it works great, but there are a few key safety issues with knob and tube wiring. First off there is only one thick copper wire used, which means that there is no grounding system to dump off excess electricity.
The problem with non-grounded electricity is that if there are surges in power it can dump all of that excess electricity into your appliances and fixtures, which can cause them to fail. Non-grounded wiring can also cause electrical shock.
The other issue with the knob and tube is that the rubber and cloth coverings that insulate the copper wires become brittle with heat and age. When these coverings fall off you have hot exposed wires inside of your walls, and that is a fire hazard.
Make sure to have knob and tube wiring inspected by a professional electrician on a yearly basis.
Removing Tube and Knob
The good news is that tube wiring removal is possible and less invasive than many people imagine. An electrician experienced in tube and knob removal can usually remove and replace the old wiring without opening up your walls.
They will drill small holes into your walls in places where they need to work, and feed the wires through the holes.
If you’ve been running your modern appliances on an old electrical system it’s likely that you will need a few more outlets added here and there.
It’s a good idea to go ahead and have any additional outlets, switches, and breakers added now, it’s cheaper to have it done while they are already working.
Once the work is complete you will be able to rest easier at night knowing that you have safe and updated new home wiring.
Sleep Better at Night With New Home Wiring
We hope that you enjoyed learning about knob and tube wiring and feel better prepared to make smart choices about your home’s electrical system.
If you enjoyed reading this article we invite you to keep reading! Please take a look at our other helpful home articles!
