Is Knob And Tube wiring safe?
All Knob and Tube wiring is dangerous. There is nothing safe about Knob and Tube. Most homeowners or electricians in the Seattle area have heard rumors from neighbors, or handyman contractors, saying things like "It's not dangerous if you don't tamper with it" or "It's been around this long and it still works". The fact is, yes, it does work, and so does speaker wire. But is speaker wire safe to use as a current carrying conductor? NO. And neither is Knob and Tube.
Why isn't Knob and Tube safe? Well, for starters, it was designed for the early 1900's appliances, a table lamp or two, and maybe a refrigerator. It was not designed for computers, multiple small kitchen appliances, flat screen TVs, cell phone chargers, etc... This is old, brittle wire, we are talking about. There is a reason why insulation companies have to get Electrical Contractors to "sign off" on the Knob and Tube, before they can cover it. Seatown Electric will not "approve" knob and tube wiring.
Knob and Tube wiring has No Ground. What happens if you have no ground? It's simple. You and your family are at risk of shock. Anyone who says this is safe, needs to be educated on electrical grounding and bonding. Bottom line is, Knob and Tube is far from safe, and it should be replaced. SeaTown Electric, and our knowledgeable estimators, will come up with a plan to meet any budget, and help make your home the safest it can be.
