Roy, this part of what I sometimes put into th report…look familiar???
**This property has some “knob and tube” wiring, which was commonly installed prior to 1950. **
**There is nothing inherently wrong with knob and tube wiring – so long as there’s nothing wrong with it. It is ungrounded, and generally considered unsafe by today’s standards. **
**It’s like a 1938 Chevrolet – a great car back then. Mechanical brakes were not so bad in those days. Today you would never use one to go on holidays or drive across country . **
That is what your knob and tube, with its old dried out wire insulation, is like – it is not capable of handling today’s equipment.
**Over time, the wire’s insulation may become brittle and fall apart or wear thin, resulting in exposed conductors and a risk of shock and/or fire. This wiring should not be covered with attic insulation (a common practice) where it may overheat and become brittle, nor should it be used hollow spaces of the walls. New wire incorrectly tapped into it can also be dangerous. **
I get a lot of good responses for this**…**