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| Adams Electrical Contractors llc |
Knob & Tube Wiring
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| 139 Pine Street Mt. Holly, NJ 08060 |
We've Got it Wired
Serving Burlington, Camden, Gloucester and surrounding areas in New Jersey for over 25 years
Knob & tube wiring is a type of wiring which was in common use until the 1940's and
sometimes used as late as the 1950's. The nick-name is derived from the ceramic knobs
that are employed to insulate and secure the wiring runs and the ceramic tubes employed to
protect the wires where they pass thru potentially abrasive materials (primarily wood joists,
studs etc.) Unlike subsequent wiring systems where all the wires in a run are enclosed in a
cable, the two wires (black/hot and white/neutral) run separately and only come together at
a terminal (switch, receptacle, fixture, junction box etc.).
Knob & tube wiring does not provide a third wire for grounding and is therefore considered
unsafe in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and outdoors. In other areas, knob & tube
wiring that is in good condition with sheathing intact, properly protected from damage, and
that hasn't been subjected to extended periods of overloading which can cause it to become
brittle, should not pose an increased safety risk.
Aside from the preceding concerns, the primary risk with knob & tube wiring, it seems, is
it's relative accessibility for amateur repairs, upgrades and maintenance. It is not
uncommon to see a system with knob & tube wiring that has a history of amateur work
(poorly joined connections, unfastened runs, unprotected wires, etc.). If a house does have
knob & tube wiring wiring it should be inspected to ensure that it is properly installed and in
good condition.
If a few, but not all, of the circuits are in poor condition they can be replaced eventually
without rewiring the whole house. However, if most or all of the circuits are in poor
condition, it may be more economical to completely rewire the home. Rewiring can also
allow the electrical system to be more convenient as the new circuits can be designed to
accomodate the present lifestyle of the occupants of the home.
sometimes used as late as the 1950's. The nick-name is derived from the ceramic knobs
that are employed to insulate and secure the wiring runs and the ceramic tubes employed to
protect the wires where they pass thru potentially abrasive materials (primarily wood joists,
studs etc.) Unlike subsequent wiring systems where all the wires in a run are enclosed in a
cable, the two wires (black/hot and white/neutral) run separately and only come together at
a terminal (switch, receptacle, fixture, junction box etc.).
Knob & tube wiring does not provide a third wire for grounding and is therefore considered
unsafe in kitchens, bathrooms, laundry rooms and outdoors. In other areas, knob & tube
wiring that is in good condition with sheathing intact, properly protected from damage, and
that hasn't been subjected to extended periods of overloading which can cause it to become
brittle, should not pose an increased safety risk.
Aside from the preceding concerns, the primary risk with knob & tube wiring, it seems, is
it's relative accessibility for amateur repairs, upgrades and maintenance. It is not
uncommon to see a system with knob & tube wiring that has a history of amateur work
(poorly joined connections, unfastened runs, unprotected wires, etc.). If a house does have
knob & tube wiring wiring it should be inspected to ensure that it is properly installed and in
good condition.
If a few, but not all, of the circuits are in poor condition they can be replaced eventually
without rewiring the whole house. However, if most or all of the circuits are in poor
condition, it may be more economical to completely rewire the home. Rewiring can also
allow the electrical system to be more convenient as the new circuits can be designed to
accomodate the present lifestyle of the occupants of the home.
| Fully Insured License NJ 7034 PA 16546 |