People who are looking to buy homes are looking for old and historic homes since they are equipped with lovable features like stained glasses and arched doorways. However, with these unique features you will also be burdened with unique problems. Parts of the house may not anymore meet the modern building codes and performing lighting conversion on the home can present very expensive challenges. Furthermore, ancient homes are typically equipped with knob and tube electrical wiring systems which will cause you further problems.
Knob and Tube Electrical Wiring in Older Homes
Knob and tube wiring electrical systems are typically installed between the late 1800s to the late 1930s. Electricians during these days made use of porcelain knobs in anchoring the wires to studs as well as floor joists and also insulated tubes in order to pass wires through the walls as well as on other obstructions. It is also easy to identify since it has separate hot and neutral wires which run parallel to each other and is also suspended in the air to help in dissipating the heat. Knob and tube wiring does not include a ground wire. Since it does not have this feature it is deemed dangerous for different appliances which require three prong outlets and will increase your chances of catching fire.
Improper Modifications of Knob and Tube Wiring Electrical Systems
Before, homes carried relatively smaller power load and it was during these times when knob and tube wiring systems dominated the market. Electricians never really expected the same load to power dishwashers, entertainment systems or air conditioners yet this type of electrical wiring is still found in homes today. Professional and licensed electricians will tell you that this system is very much outdated and in dire need of lighting conversion. This is typically the wiring system which was installed when people only had light bulbs and electric fans.
Electricians confess upon inspecting homes that homeowners as well as inexperienced handymen retrofitted the knob and tube systems through the years which are often done incorrectly in order to power the appliances today. When homeowners get into trouble, they try to perform amateur lighting conversion and in every junction that they make, they comprise it.
Knob and Tube Wiring System Causes Fire and Insulation Risk
Homeowners often add insulation in order to improve energy efficiency in ancient homes. However, they unknowingly bury the knob and tube wiring with blow-in insulation which creates a very serious fire hazard. Contact with the insulation will typically cause the wiring to overheat and then eventually catch fire. If it is covered with insulation and it is located in your attic, it needs to go. Invest in lighting conversion immediately. Knob and tube electrical wiring systems were originally meant to operate in free air.
The National Electric Code has already prohibited the use of knob and tube wiring in ceilings and attics, hollow spaces in walls where such places are being insulated by rolled, loose and foamed in place insulating material which envelopes the conductors. Professionals also recommend replacing your electrical wiring and lighting conversion if you are still using the outdated knob and tube wiring system.