The Risks of Knob and Tube Wiring: Why Upgrading is Essential for Your Home

Hey there! It's Wattson... your friendly neighborhood lightbulb and Chief Electrical Officer at Fuller Electric. Today, we're shedding light on a topic that's super important, yet often flies under the radar for a lot of homeowners – knob and tube wiring - in our lovely older homes.

Now, I get it, the words 'knob and tube' might sound like something out of an old science fiction movie, but trust me, it's very real and quite the relic in our modern electrified world. As your friendly neighborhood guide, I'm here to unravel the mysteries of this old-school wiring and why we at Fuller Electric often find ourselves recommending an upgrade. Let’s dive into the electrifying world of knob and tube wiring!

Understanding Knob and Tube Wiring

Knob and tube (aka "K&T") wiring was a standard electrical wiring method from the 1880s to the 1940s. We see this in lots of older homes in Federal Way, Seattle and Tacoma... (especially Old Town, Ruston, Stadium District, and the Proctor District).

If left alone, it's not inherently dangerous. However we often see issues come up based on the age, improper installation and modifications. It also doesn't provide the shock protection found in modern power delivery systems. There is also a potential hazard when you go to add insulation. As an example, Washington state law (WAC 296-46B-394) clearly outlines that foam insulation must not be used with knob and tube wiring, underscoring the potential risks it presents.

We get asked often if we can "certify" the knob and tube wiring so it can pass a insurance or safety inspection or if we can bless it so the insulation contractor can do their renovation (as is often the case for Tacoma Power). There's a lot of risk with certifying knob & tube wiring.

The Pitfalls of Outdated Wiring

Homes looked a lot different almost 100 years ago. What folks would plug into back then (if anything) has changed a lot too. The wiring from back then does not meet the electrical demands of modern households and falls short in several areas:

Safety Concerns

• Knob & tube wiring lacks a "grounding conductor". This is one part of your "shock protection & overload system" that is found in modern wiring. The grounding in your shock protection system keeps you from getting shocked, as well as reduces the risk of electrical fires and damage to sensitive electronics.
• The grounding that is NOT found in knob and tube wiring, also helps your breakers shut down quickly if there is a fault or too much power flowing through your cabling. Knob and tube doesn't have this safety feature in place.
• The insulation material, often varnish and fiber, tends to deteriorate over time, exposing wires and increasing fire risks (NACHI).
• Most of the older homes we encounter often in Federal Way, Tacoma and Seattle have knob and tube installations sharing "neutral wiring". This faulty installation method prevents us from including arc-fault breakers that make up your "arc & spark prevention system". These breakers are designed to detect the breakdown of the wire insulation and a multitude of other installation faults BEFORE the hazard turns into something more dangerous. All new homes that Fuller Electric does the wiring for are required to have this system in place.
• Because homes wired in knob and tube, rarely had electrical maintenance done, it's really difficult to determine the condition of all that hidden cabling in the walls and ceilings.

Heat Dissipation Issues

• When you use power in your knob and tube wired home, the cabling will literally heat up. Knob & tube wiring's original design was to dissipate this heat into free air. When this system is disturbed by building insulation, it can lead to overheating and pose a fire hazard (NACHI).

Incompatibility with Modern Appliances

• One of the trends we're seeing in the vintage homes we serve in Federal Way, Point Ruston, Proctor, Old Town Tacoma, etc is homeowners upgrading their appliances... keep the charm, but have modern convenience.
• The caveat there is today's appliances often require three-pronged outlets and a more robust electrical system... something knob and tube wiring cannot provide due to the absence of a ground wire.
• Appliances that have the additional prong are built in such a way that reduces your risk of getting shocked in case there's an internal fault and the power leaks. The grounding system gives a path for the leaking current to go that is NOT through you.

Why Upgrading is Crucial

1. Enhanced Safety: Modern electrical systems when designed and installed with the latest safety standards, drastically reduces the risk of electrical fires and other hazards. Any electrical contractor that is reputable would promote safety for your electrical system. If they're willing to cut corners to "certify" a system as safe, where else are they cutting back?
2. Compatibility with Modern Living: Upgrading your electrical system ensures that it can handle the demands of today's appliances and technology, providing convenience and efficiency. You won't have to worry about things like "can my electrical panel support an EV charger?" or not.
3. Insurance and Compliance: Many insurance companies are wary of insuring homes with knob and tube wiring due to its risks. Upgrading can ease the process of obtaining insurance and ensure compliance with current electrical codes.
   
   Our thought is... if the insurance companies won't stand behind your home, there's a reason why. A lot of the times they will throw in the caveat that if you can get an electrical contractor to certify the knob and tube wiring as okay, then they will insure it. This is a veiled attempt at pushing the risk and liability onto the electrician and their insurance. It takes just one home fire that would cause total devastation and loss for your family... as well as bankrupt a company. As a family owned business who has been in around since 1990, this is a risk we refuse to take. We standby our honor and commitment to you with our Pure Motive Pledge.

Fuller Electric's Commitment

At Fuller Electric, your safety and satisfaction are our top priorities. While we understand and respect the financial aspects of modernizing knob and tube wiring, we are committed to providing safe and reliable electrical solutions for your home. We're here to guide you through the upgrading process, ensuring that your home meets the electrical standards of today and tomorrow.

If you have knob and tube wiring in your home and are considering an upgrade, or if you have any questions about your home's electrical system, don't hesitate to reach out to us. Let Fuller Electric illuminate the path to a safer and more efficient home together.

Schedule a residential electrical evaluation in Federal Way, WA, (or Tacoma or Seattle or anywhere else knob & tube wiring exists) and help us create a more efficient living space and the peace of mind your home is powered safely.

Stay bright and tune in for more electrifying insights. Until next time, keep glowing! — Wattson