Insurance Coach Radio

Knob & Tube Wiring

Knob & Tube Wiring

Older electrical systems can have many interesting aspects to them. Knob & tube wiring gets its name from the knobs (or insulators) used to keep the wires isolated from objects & the ceramic tubes used to line holes, for example, through wooden floor joists. This type of wiring can be found in homes over 50 years in age unless it has been updated. You may find it with older 60 amp (or less) services.

Some differences with this type of wiring and that used today? -- although the actual wire used may largely be no different from that used today, it consists of only a hot (black) and neutral (white) wire. That is, there is no ground wire. Both wires must run separately to fixtures as opposed to those used now which are contained within one plastic sheathing. In addition, junction boxes for housing electrical connections were seldom, if ever, used.

Although it is a workable system, and safe when installed and used properly, there are some concerns with this system. For example,

(a) there is no ground wire (for more modern lifestyle requirements and safety),

(b) a fear exists that the black and white wires can make contact (a potential fire and safety hazard),

(c) the rubber and cloth insulation around the knob & tube wiring breaks down over time (a potential fire and safety hazard),

(d) it would be too costly to maintain, or even, install this type

Older Homes Beware

There is a BIG difference with insurance coverage and how you would insure a home built in 1905 vs 2005.  There have been significant changes by the Insurance Industry that could cause huge gaps for unsuspecting customers. Let's use a home built in 1905. Let cover some of the differences that will take place to a home on its 100th birthday. The first area I will cover is "Building Codes" Have building codes changed in the last 100 years. Of course! Innovation has occurred with wiring, piping, foundations, roofing, and even how the structures are being built.  Big changes. They don't use horse hair any longer to dry the fresh plaster that was just applied to your walls and ceilings. John,"Did you say, horse hair" Yes I did. Horse hair was used over 100 years ago to accelerate the drying process of the plaster. From time to time I will cover this topic on the radio show because for those who own a home in this time period have potential gaps if they do not close them with proper coverages. The coverage I will mention in this Older Home segment is "Ordinance & Law Coverage".  I have nick named this building code enforcement coverage. This will provide coverage to you if you sustain a loss to a section of your 1905 home and damage was cause to your wiring. The type of wiring used back in that time period was a grade called Knob & Tube Wiring. (Please view the next segment that describes Knob & Tube Wiring)

    Let me use an example of damaged done to your (Knob & Tube Wiring) in your kitchen due to a small kitchen fire. When the building inspector arrives also known as: Code Enforcement: This inspector will advised the kitchen must be replaced with newer up to date wiring for the entire kitchen. The problem occurs if he determines that the adjacent rooms will have to be replaced due to their condition. He may advise the entire bottom floor or depending on the condition of the wiring, the entire house.

If you do not have the proper limit of "Ordinance & Law Coverage" you will be paying for this entire job (with exception to the kitchen) out of your pocket. This could be very costly. In a future segment I will discribe Coinsurance and how it could drastically effect you at the time of a claim if you under insure your older home.