1957 home. Name the defects.
Start with two neutrals under one terminal. What do you see?
Cloth - can’t perfectly tell if it’s true cloth or jacket
Is this like questions of the week?
Is that corrosion I see?
Is the panel bonded? Wire protection at the wire entrance and exit?
Would you like for me to write your report as well.
Cloth-sheathed rubber insulated wiring. May contain asbestos.
Frayed cloth.
SE cable does not require a bushing.
How is the enclosure bonded?
Thinking this is the main disconnect, so missing the GEC (which is probably incorrectly located at the main panel / load center).
First give me a picture showing the exterior of the box.
A photo of all of the equipment would help.
This is the first time I have head of asbestos in Cloth-Sheathed wiring. Can someone enlighten me. Thanks
Here’s what came up when I put it to AI.
You
Cloth-sheathed rubber insulated wiring. May contain asbestos?
Copilot
Cloth wiring, also known as cloth-covered wiring, was commonly used before thermoplastic-coated wiring became widespread. Here’s what you need to know:
- What Is Cloth Wiring?
- Cloth wiring was prevalent in homes built before 1960.
- It uses cloth instead of plastic to insulate and protect electrical conductors.
- Often associated with knob-and-tube wiring, which lacks modern safety features.
- Buildings from the first half of the 20th century may have cloth wiring.
- Why Is It Dangerous?
- Brittleness: Over time, cloth insulation becomes brittle, exposing wires and increasing the risk of electrical arcing (a fire hazard).
- Insect/Rodent Damage: Cloth wiring is more susceptible to damage by insects and rodents, leading to exposed wires.
- Asbestos: Some old cloth-covered wiring contains asbestos, which poses serious health risks. Asbestos may break down and become airborne as the fabric ages1.
- Asbestos Content:
- Some types of cloth-covered wiring use copper covered with rayon or cotton material, then insulated with asbestos paper or rubberized insulation.
- As the cloth becomes brittle, the asbestos may break down and become airborne, which is extremely hazardous1.
If you suspect your home has cloth wiring, consider having it inspected by a professional. Safety is paramount!
Evening, Kevin.
I am surprised this has not come up more frequently.
No question mark. A period.
Look at the cable jacket. It is frayed and degraded.
History
If your home was built prior to the 1950’s there may be a chance cloth wiring was installed in your home. Because it dates back to the late 1800’s when Thomas Edison made his patent and introduced his invention, it was first known as “The Electric Conductor”. Edison described his invention to be a great insulator, waterproof and fireproof. Cloth of different kinds were used to cover the naked wires as a sheath to help prevent electrical shocks and/or fires. As a result, it became problematic as time passed. NMC or nonmetallic sheathed cable could have aluminum or copper conductors, depending on the manufacturer and year.
Problems with cloth insulated wiring
Cloth insulated wiring poses several issues such as potentially containing asbestos and insulation degradation. Over time, the cloth sheath would become brittle and crack. Sometimes, it flakes and falls. This cracking would cause exposure of the wires, which then poses electrical danger. For instance, the bare wires – when touched – can cause electrical shock or electrocution. Likewise, when in contact with other objects, it can pose the risk of causing a fire.
This is complete wrong. The wire is insulated with rubber not cloth. The cloth is just a covering for the rubber.
Evening, Robert.
This I can not determine the photo but, the fabric, which may contain asbestos, do not quote me on that, is degraded and fibers can easily become airborne.
Wish Roy Cooke senior was around. We discussed this years ago.
Typically Vulcanized rubber (VIR / VRI) insulation on copper conductors, covered with waxed braided cotton inside of an exterior sheath of fabric or in conduit from ca. 1922.
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