Knob and Tube, Safe or Not?

Originally Posted By: jtedesco
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



See this article and read the last three pages.


http://www.aicanada.ca/e/pdfs/Spring2002%2029-40.pdf

Please send me pictures of your knob and tube hazards.


--
Joe Tedesco, NEC Consultant

www.nachi.org/tedescobook.htm

Originally Posted By: phinsperger
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Although I agree with the article;


1) It does not mention the life expacncy of the insulation under nomal load conditions.

2) It does not talk about how K&T was desinged to be installed in free air and since that time many spaces have had insulation added covering the K&T.


What to buy some new knob & tube? http://www.sundialwire.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=18


--
.


Paul Hinsperger
Hinsperger Inspection Services
Chairman - NACHI Awards Committee
Place your Award Nominations
here !

Originally Posted By: dandersen
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Quote:
For newer three-pronged outlets
connected to knob-and-tube wiring, the
This diagram depicts the method used to correct an improper splice
(connection with no connector or box) between knob-and-tube and
modern wiring.
absence of grounding can be improved
by replacing the outlet with a GFCI-type
outlet. In the event of a ground fault,
the GFCI trips, breaking the circuit and
protecting the equipment and the user.
(see diagram 2)


Diagram#2 shows a ground, but the caption says a ground is not required for operation. ![icon_question.gif](upload://t2zemjDOQRADd4xSC3xOot86t0m.gif) ![icon_question.gif](upload://t2zemjDOQRADd4xSC3xOot86t0m.gif) ![icon_question.gif](upload://t2zemjDOQRADd4xSC3xOot86t0m.gif)

Why don't GFCI's trip when there is an open ground on the circuit?


Originally Posted By: phinsperger
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



dandersen wrote:
Why don't GFCI's trip when there is an open ground on the circuit?


GFCI's trip when the current coming in from the hot is not the same as the current going back on the neutral.


--
.


Paul Hinsperger
Hinsperger Inspection Services
Chairman - NACHI Awards Committee
Place your Award Nominations
here !

Originally Posted By: syared
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



phinsperger wrote:
Although I agree with the article;


2) It does not talk about how K&T was desinged to be installed in free air and since that time many spaces have had insulation added covering the K&T.

http://www.sundialwire.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=18


Was knob and tube designed to be in free air space or is it in free air space because insulation was rarely used back then?


--
Steve Yared
The Home Examiner, LLC
(616) 776-7725

http://www.TheHomeExaminer.com

Originally Posted By: rcooke
This post was automatically imported from our archived forum.



Back in the 1930 we had a few lights maybe a radio and that was about all.


Knob and tube was almost adequate for what we had then .


In todays world Knob and tube is far short of doing what is required .

Here in Canada insurance when you can get it charge a premium price for insurance.
We must understand Like it or not we must do as the insurance industry demands .

I always recommend upgrade to a modern electrical system immediately .

The cost for removal in a two story home can be large and a person should get an upgrade cost as this frequently exceeds the budget of purchasing a home.

The article Joe gave us is 3 years old and insurance up here with K&T is getting harder to get .
C&D clients used to be able to K&T insurance at no premium . I do believe that is no longer available . .
Our Company is a C&Ds report user


--
Roy Cooke Sr.

http://Royshomeinspection.com