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For questions about Knob and Tube electrical wiring throughout the home. Sometimes abbreviated as K&T.

1 vote

Is it safe for knob & tube to be touching insulation facing?

In Washington it's completely OK to insulate directly over Knob & Tube wiring as long as it was first inspected, and a sign warning future workers of the hidden wires is placed. Your question of "touc …
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1 vote

What should I do about an electrical service panel that is next to the gas service meter?

You'll want to ask PG&E to inspect. They'll come out with a simple phone call for just about anything, this included. Let us know how this turns out. A different utility writes this as their policy: …
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  • 11k
1 vote

Running conduit near knob and tube wiring

I make the assumption that knob & tube insulation will fail. Maybe it will, maybe it won't, why take the chance. With stock K&T insulation failure is no problem: the ceramic tubes will outlast any p …
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1 vote

Box in knob and tube wiring between ceiling and cellulose?

Nah. You're overthinking this, and the electricians are showing no evidence of thinking at all. First, measure the wire: is it 14 gauge? 12 gauge? or something in between? Second, measure the break …
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7 votes

Is it safe to put insulation next to knob & tube wiring?

The answer changes depending on location. Because of a complete lack of actual fire incidents, four Western USA States: CA, OR, WA and ID petitioned for an exception to NEC 394.12 and permit insulati …
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33 votes

Should old knob and tube wiring be replaced?

Myths abound about K&T, and lots of it is ripped out unnecessarily. The K&T wire is exactly as thick as modern wire, and was installed by skilled craftsmen using bulletproof soldered joints rather th …
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-1 votes

Does MA require permit to replace old K&T and if no how do I know if work is done to code?

No you don't need a permit to pull it out. Yes you do need a permit to put anything back, almost no matter where you are.
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1 vote

Why does Knob and Tube need an air gap?

The "air gap" theory is a myth. The size of wire used for K&T is the same as for modern wire, plus the joints are better. The real issues are that most knob and tube circuits are undersized for the m …
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4 votes

Should I use a GFCI or AFCI circuit breaker with knob and tube wiring?

An AFCI is a great addition to K&T wiring. While the conductors in K&T are separated by large distances, and even studs, they do come together at junction boxes which are often metallic. An AFCI adds …
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7 votes

How can I attach modern fixture to knob & tube wiring?

In this case I would carefully remove any cotton or cloth covering on the existing wires, after shutting off the branch circuit. Hopefully this leaves you with a rubber or plastic layer, but either w …
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