Knob & Tube first

tgardner · January 7, 2012, 5:46pm

I’ve not run across this before - Any issues? thanks TG

http://i987.photobucket.com/albums/ae355/tigar100dner/IMG_1272b1.jpg

jjonas · January 7, 2012, 5:51pm

Yes, heat buildup. K&T relies on free moving air to stay cool. Wrte it up, Danno!

mlarson · January 7, 2012, 5:51pm

tgardner · January 7, 2012, 6:46pm

Thanks Guys, I knew it wasn’t correct, but a local electrician found nothing wrong with plastic over the K&T.

TG

Jim_Port · January 7, 2012, 9:13pm

I don’t see an issue either. The plastic will not retain that much heat.

jjonas · January 7, 2012, 9:38pm

Okay… then write it up for the barrier being installed improperly! Either way, it’s wrong!!! :twisted:

kluuk · January 7, 2012, 10:03pm

I don’t think it’s that the plastic will build up heat, but that the plastic prevents free movement of air around the K&T, that will cause the wires to heat up, no? I have never seen knob and tube, but I hear there is still some places around here with it.

bhamilton · January 7, 2012, 10:33pm

You should also have your client check with their insurance company. Some companies around here won’t insure a house with knob and tube.

mcyr · January 7, 2012, 10:36pm

State Farm is one of them. My Son-In-Law is an Agent.

jjonas · January 8, 2012, 12:17am

You are correct Kathleen.

kluuk · January 8, 2012, 2:14am

Thanks Jeffrey, just wanted to check, never having seen or dealt with it I am only going by what I have read. Good to know I remembered something

rcooke · January 8, 2012, 2:21am

Exactly.
Knob and tube was installed Before 1950 . It is an obsolete Type of wiring that is not suited for today’s equipment and should be immediately upgraded

rmeier2 · January 8, 2012, 2:39am

Roy,
I’m not disagreeing with you but would you actually put that wording into an inspection report?

rcooke · January 8, 2012, 2:45am

Yes .
I expect I am one of a very few left who took Knob and Tube at Trade school .
Proper method of soldering with a Blow torch to heat the dip pot and the big old Copper Soldering iron .

belliott · January 8, 2012, 3:12am

LOL I doubt many are qualified to solder it properly.
Side note is nobody mentioned double insulating conductors as a no no.

jjonas · January 8, 2012, 3:15am

Please explain, and be specific.

jjonas · January 8, 2012, 3:18am

Robert, I think we agree that his statement would never fly in the States. Knob & Tube is NOT in and of itself a material defect.

rcooke · January 8, 2012, 3:26am

I would be surprised if any electrician would disagree with My statement .

I am hired to tell it like it is and it is obsolete… Roy

belliott · January 8, 2012, 3:38am

Just what I said Roy.
Double insulation .

rmeier2 · January 8, 2012, 3:52am

That’s what I was getting at. I forgot that Roy is north of the border.