An Electrician’s Guide to Knob and Tube Wiring

Although knob and tube wiring is slowly being phased out, there are still many homes that have this type of wiring. If you are a homeowner who has this type of wiring, it’s important to know what is knob and tube wiring and why is knob and tube wiring dangerous. In this blog post, we will explain everything you need to know, including how to update it safely.

What Is Knob and Tube Wiring?

Knob and tube wiring is a type of electrical wiring that was commonly used in homes before 1950. It gets its name from the porcelain knobs that are used to support the wires as they run along surfaces and the ceramic tubes that protect wire Junction points. 

What Can Go Wrong With Knob and Tube Wiring?

There are a few different things that can go wrong when doing your own knob and tube repairs or replacements. These dangers include 

No Ground Wire: One of the most common—and dangerous—mistakes people make when working with knob and tube wiring is forgetting to add a ground wire. A ground wire helps to dissipate electricity in the event of a short circuit, which reduces the risk of fire. Without one, you're putting your home—and your family—at risk. 

Bad Against Moisture: Another problem with this type of wiring is that it's not well-suited for damp or moist areas. This means that if you live in an area with high humidity levels, you're more likely to experience electrical issues as a result of your knob and tube wiring. 

Easily Overlooked: Given its age, knob and tube wiring is often hidden behind walls or buried beneath floorboards. This makes it easy for homeowners to overlook—and accidentally damage—when renovating their homes. If this happens, it could lead to dangerous electrical issues down the line. 

Improper DIY Modification: Finally, another danger of DIY knob and tube wiring is improper modification. If you attempt to repair or replace it without fully understanding how it works, you could inadvertently create a hazardous situation. This is why it's so important to leave electrical work to the professionals; they have the knowledge and experience necessary to do the job safely. 

Dangers of DIY Knob and Tube Wiring

Home wiring is not a task to be taken lightly. Not only is it crucial for the functionality of your home, but it can also be dangerous if done incorrectly. That's why, when it comes to electrical work, it's always best to leave it to the professionals and it is not recommended that homeowners attempt to repair or replace knob and tube wiring themselves.

This type of work should only be performed by a licensed electrician. Attempting to repair or replace knob and tube wiring yourself could be dangerous for several reasons. As we mentioned earlier, the system does not have a ground wire and if you were to accidentally cut into a live wire while working on the system, you could receive a severe electric shock. Moreover, because the wires are not enclosed in conduit, they are vulnerable to moisture damage. In other words, if moisture were to get into the system, it could cause a short circuit that could start a fire. 

Let The Experts at Ferguson Electrical Solutions Help

If you have any concerns about your home’s electrical system, please call us at (519) 400-9825. We would be happy to send one of our licensed electricians out to take a look at your system and answer any questions you may have. Alternatively, you can fill out our online contact form, and we will get back to you as soon as possible.