DIYbanter - View Single Post - Is Knob-and-Tube *Always* Dangerous?

No

wrote:
I'm sure this question has been posted and answered a thousand times
here, but a family member who routinely asks me to walk-through homes
she is interested in buying (because, as a walking Typhoid Mary of
Money Pits, I have hard-earned knowledge) has asked me to jump on a
particularly desirable (location, location, location) multi-unit this
AM.

One half of this duplex has knob-and-tube.

I have read conflicting estimates of the integrity and safety of
knob-and-tube on this group and other web sites. But I'm scheduled to
go through the home in two hours and thought I'd post and maybe get
some fresh insights.

From the street, and as far as the exterior foundation goes, this home
is an absolute steal (new roof, great landscaping, has it all). My
family member needs a place to run to as the result of a divorce and
won't be able to take on both the mortgage and a complete rewire at the
time of sale; hence, my post.

Thank you as always for your responses.

No, its not always dangerous. As Joseph said, its not inherently dangerous.

Here are circumstances when it is dangerous.

- When a ground is needed by a device and its not available.
- when it has been extended or hacked onto by somone not knowing what
they are doing
- when the fuse has been "upgraded" to a larger one because it kept blowing
- Then the wire is overloaded

Remember - when it was installed there were no hair dryers, electric
curing irons, air conditioners, PCs, microwaves, etc.

It becomes unsafe when people try to add on more outlets to accommodate
these things.