CWC Electric, LLC recently performed an electrical inspection on an older Victorian style home. The house was built around the turn of the twentieth century in 1905. The home is located near the exclusive Potwin area of Topeka, Kansas.
1905 was an exciting year....Theodore Roosevelt was President of the United States, Albert Einstein wrote a paper introducing the theory of relativity (E=mc2), the Wright brothers managed to keep the Flyer III airborne 24 miles and the United States celebrated the 100 year Centennial of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Technology has changed significantly since 1905!
1905 was an exciting year....Theodore Roosevelt was President of the United States, Albert Einstein wrote a paper introducing the theory of relativity (E=mc2), the Wright brothers managed to keep the Flyer III airborne 24 miles and the United States celebrated the 100 year Centennial of the Lewis & Clark Expedition. Technology has changed significantly since 1905!
One of the first things noted was not a problem at the home being inspected but rather at the home next door. The neighbors electrical drop point of attachment was not high enough,allowing the live wire to sag significantly. By code, the wire must be at least 10 feet off the ground at its lowest point.
In the picture to the right, Chuck Hogan, owner of CWC Electric, LLC is holding the telephone drop wire. The main electrical service drop wire is just a couple of feet above his head, within easy reach of all but the shortest adults, creating an unsafe condition.
In the picture to the right, Chuck Hogan, owner of CWC Electric, LLC is holding the telephone drop wire. The main electrical service drop wire is just a couple of feet above his head, within easy reach of all but the shortest adults, creating an unsafe condition.
On the home being inspected, it was discovered the electrical drop had pulled away from the building and it was recommended it be reattached. An unattached drop creates an unsafe condition because all the weight of the wires now rests on the conductors. Wires are not rated to support themselves. Worst case scenario, this can cause a house fire. This type of damage is common after ice storms.
More problems were found in the basement of the home, including knob and tube wiring. Knob and tube wiring was in common use in the United States from the 1880's to the 1940's. Knob and Tube wiring is considered obsolete and can create safety concerns.
Knob and Tube wiring consists of copper wire secured along it's length by porcelain "knobs". The cloth covered wire is threaded through porcelain "tubes" when it needs to pass through combustible wood joists or studs. The wire dissipates heat into the air and it is important no insulation come into contact with the wire or a fire can occur. In this particular home, the almost 110 year old wire had deteriorated and it was recommended it be replaced. It is not uncommon for the cloth surrounding the wire in a knob and tube system to literally turn to dust when touched due to the wire's age. The knob and tube system also presents a significant shock hazard due to it's lack of insulation.
Additional problems noted were open splices, a permanent circuit being plugged into an outlet rather than hard wired and a chimney being used as a wire chase way! All of the noted items are violations of the National Electrical Code and are potentially life and property threatening. It was recommended all of these issues be repaired immediately.
If you have concerns regarding the electrical service in your older home, please contact CWC Electric, LLC today at 785-215-8775.
Knob and Tube wiring consists of copper wire secured along it's length by porcelain "knobs". The cloth covered wire is threaded through porcelain "tubes" when it needs to pass through combustible wood joists or studs. The wire dissipates heat into the air and it is important no insulation come into contact with the wire or a fire can occur. In this particular home, the almost 110 year old wire had deteriorated and it was recommended it be replaced. It is not uncommon for the cloth surrounding the wire in a knob and tube system to literally turn to dust when touched due to the wire's age. The knob and tube system also presents a significant shock hazard due to it's lack of insulation.
Additional problems noted were open splices, a permanent circuit being plugged into an outlet rather than hard wired and a chimney being used as a wire chase way! All of the noted items are violations of the National Electrical Code and are potentially life and property threatening. It was recommended all of these issues be repaired immediately.
If you have concerns regarding the electrical service in your older home, please contact CWC Electric, LLC today at 785-215-8775.
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