Last updated August 19, 2008
Knob And Tube Wiring
At one time, Knob and tube wiring was considered to be the best way to wire your home. However, knob and tube wiring is now considered outdated and unsafe. This means that knob and tube wiring is out and Romex is in. One of the problems with knob and tube wiring is that after sixty or seventy years, you are going to see deterioration of the wires. It becomes frayed and could cause a potential hazard. If you would have your home inspected today, an inspector would tell you to replace the knob and tube wiring. Many times you will see fraying of the outer part of the wire as well as cracked knobs.
The knobs are porcelain insulators that suspend the wiring in the air to dissipate the heat. These were used for wiring that ran through the rafters and studs. Today, Romex is used and has an insulated coating making it easy to attach to rafters and studs without the need for dissipating the heat. The knob and tube wiring does not have a ground conductor. The switch for turning off the neutral wire would turn off the circuit but it would not turn off the current. If you didn’t know this fact, you could cause harm to yourself.
Another problem with knob and tube wiring is that you cannot place insulation near it. After you replace it with Romex, you can then properly insulate your home which in the past was most likely unable to be insulated to today’s standards. Any work in your home that involves your wiring, you should call an experienced, licensed and insured electrician. Electricians are trained in every aspect of wiring and will know how to replace the knob and tube wiring without any problems. Electricians also have the tools needed to run new wiring and the equipment to install the wiring correctly. In an effort to keep your home up to code and to keep you and your family safe from fire hazards or personal injury, you should always us the services of a professional electrician.
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