Lack of circuits

[Paul W. Abernathy]

George...actually soldering is still very legal and the only fight about it is the mechanical connection prior to soldering.

We still solder joints every now and then then wirenutting gets old.....the arguement against soldering was the joint is not mechanically sound prior to soldering.....but in my opinion it is superior to a wirenut as many manufacturers state the proper method of wirenut installation is to not pre-twist the joints at all....this is the wirenut fails you have a circuit that could open and an arc could very well be present....no so with a properly soldered joint that is pre-twisted ( mechanically strong ) and then soldered and wrapped properly....

Now the problem I see really with K & T is :

1.) The small size of the conductors generally for the new modern things people are bringing into older homes....take college students for example...it is not rare to see older homes on college campuses and they bring the party fridge, the computers, the large screen TV's for their buddies and the beer parties and so on...the old K & T was not designed for it.

2.) The insulation is drying up and becoming brittle due to the conditions I stated in # 1 above....thus creating other issues .

Always call out K & T and let the evaluation begin as while some will argue the condition of the conductors appear fine....we know the problems with it and it is not in nature the concept of the design but the age of the situation that causes the problems.

Not to mention a issue of no real " energized " releaf due to no EGC in these installations and more and more remodels taking place and them leaving the K & T.....brings up why we have a EGC today....

I would always call out K & T and allow the electrician to evaluate it....but thats just me...

(B) Splices.

Conductors shall be spliced or joined with
splicing devices identified for the use or by brazing, welding,
or soldering with a fusible metal or alloy. Soldered
splices shall first be spliced or joined so as to be mechanically
and electrically secure without solder and then be
soldered. All splices and joints and the free ends of conductors
shall be covered with an insulation equivalent to that of
the conductors or with an insulating device identified for
the purpose.
Wire connectors or splicing means installed on conductors
for direct burial shall be listed for such use.