Delaware County has houses and buildings dating back to the early 1700's and up to current times so it is not uncommon to find houses that still have functioning knob and tube wiring in some form in older homes.
Knob and Tube Wiring was the way many houses were wired in the late 1800's into the early 1930's. Insulated cooper wire would be wired through a house with the help of a porcelain knob and a tube. The knob would be nailed to a joist in a wall with the insulated wire anchored in place in the knob. A tube would hold a wire going through a hole in a stud. The knob and tube kept the wire from touching wood. The wires were wrapped in a flexible cloth of cotton or rubber.
As time went on and cheaper wiring became available, knob and tube was no longer used in new construction. As electrical use has increased over the years so has the upgrading of electrical wiring in older homes to accommate the greater demand for electricity in a home. To expect knob and tube to handle the increased demands for electricity can be dangerous.
If you are looking to purchase an older home do not be surprised if you find some functioning knob and tube, usually in basements, attics and garages. It can still be behind those plaster walls in many rooms as we discovered in our fixer upper.
When we see a house with knob and tube wiring, it is a blast into the past. In its day, it must have been a marvel.
ABC's Of Real Estate Series:
Arch Fault Circuit Interrupter
Bricks
Ceiling Fan Blade Rotations
Downspout Extensions
Egress Windows
(Written by Gloria)
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Doug Durren and Gloria Todor, Realtors®, SRES®
CENTURY 21 Absolute Realty
512 Baltimore Pike, Springfield, PA 19064
Serving Delaware County, Pennsylvania and Surrounding Areas
Doug 610-909-0687 Gloria 484-431-3686
610-328-4300 x131 Office
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GloriaTodor@Century21.com
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