Knob and Tube Wiring Replacement
95% of Knob and Tube containing homes are located South of 401. And the highest concentration of knob and tube houses is found South of St. Clair Ave We specialize in Knob & Tube rewiring in Beaches, and High Park We also perform: Knob and Tube Certified Inspections requested by your insurance broker Electric safety inspection and formal report to reduce your insurance premiums Express Electrical Inspections for homebuyers. Homebuyers, know what you are buying! |  A ticking time bomb in the attic. Roughly 90% of homes with Knob and Tube wiring have similar dangerous splicing visible or hidden inside the walls. |
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FYI:
Knob and Tube is an old two wire system where lights, plugs and receptacles are not grounded.
From 1880’s it was widely used through the 1930’s. In some locations installed into the late 1950’s.
Years ago there were few electrical appliances, electricity usage and loads were limited. K&T was the best and only option.
The wires were spliced and soldered together inside walls, without junction boxes and then wrapped with electrical tape. Wiring was rubber and cloth covered #14 copper conductor mounted on porcelain Knobs nailed to the wood studs and joists. When required to pass through these members porcelain Tubes were inserted in holes with the conductors inside. Where wires entered a junction, plug, or switch box, they were protected by insulating sleeving made of the asphalt-saturated cloth.
Knob and Tube wiring therefore never touched the wood structure or plaster. Heat from load or overload dissipated in the air space between rafters and partitions.
These circuits originally could be protected by 20 Amp plug fuses. Do not use fuse or breaker over 15 Amp today.
Visual inspection of conductors and splices can determine the state of Knob and Tube integrity nowadays. Conductors with bare or dry, crumbling or stiff insulation should be replaced. These conditions resulted from over-current, shorts, improper fusing, or high temperatures. Problems are usually found in switch, plug, and junction boxes, in attics, furnace or boiler rooms and especially above the lights.
Homeowners often add thermal insulation to their attics and walls. Knob and tube wiring buried in thermal insulation causes overheating and is a major fire hazard. Renovators should avoid placing insulation directly over or around the wires. If found, buried K&T should be freed of thermal insulation.
Knob and Tube circuit extensions and additional loads should be avoided. Splicing new wires and Knob and Tube is not advisable. Over-fusing these lines with 20 Amp is dangerous, 30 Amp fuse would almost certainly cause a fire.
When installed correctly Knob and Tube wiring suspended in the air could carry higher current without overheating. It's a single K&T advantage over the modern wiring. Knob and tube wiring on its own is not inherently a problem. Wiring that has deteriorated or been abused is.
Check out Electrical Inspection for the piece of mind, if you are not sure about your K&T condition, or if you are buying an old house.
Also read about How to avoid a SINGLE WORST KNOB & TUBE MISTAKE
Knob and Tube is an old two wire system where lights, plugs and receptacles are not grounded.
From 1880’s it was widely used through the 1930’s. In some locations installed into the late 1950’s.
Years ago there were few electrical appliances, electricity usage and loads were limited. K&T was the best and only option.
The wires were spliced and soldered together inside walls, without junction boxes and then wrapped with electrical tape. Wiring was rubber and cloth covered #14 copper conductor mounted on porcelain Knobs nailed to the wood studs and joists. When required to pass through these members porcelain Tubes were inserted in holes with the conductors inside. Where wires entered a junction, plug, or switch box, they were protected by insulating sleeving made of the asphalt-saturated cloth.
Knob and Tube wiring therefore never touched the wood structure or plaster. Heat from load or overload dissipated in the air space between rafters and partitions.
These circuits originally could be protected by 20 Amp plug fuses. Do not use fuse or breaker over 15 Amp today.
Visual inspection of conductors and splices can determine the state of Knob and Tube integrity nowadays. Conductors with bare or dry, crumbling or stiff insulation should be replaced. These conditions resulted from over-current, shorts, improper fusing, or high temperatures. Problems are usually found in switch, plug, and junction boxes, in attics, furnace or boiler rooms and especially above the lights.
Homeowners often add thermal insulation to their attics and walls. Knob and tube wiring buried in thermal insulation causes overheating and is a major fire hazard. Renovators should avoid placing insulation directly over or around the wires. If found, buried K&T should be freed of thermal insulation.
Knob and Tube circuit extensions and additional loads should be avoided. Splicing new wires and Knob and Tube is not advisable. Over-fusing these lines with 20 Amp is dangerous, 30 Amp fuse would almost certainly cause a fire.
When installed correctly Knob and Tube wiring suspended in the air could carry higher current without overheating. It's a single K&T advantage over the modern wiring. Knob and tube wiring on its own is not inherently a problem. Wiring that has deteriorated or been abused is.
Check out Electrical Inspection for the piece of mind, if you are not sure about your K&T condition, or if you are buying an old house.
Also read about How to avoid a SINGLE WORST KNOB & TUBE MISTAKE
