12 Jul
2005
12 Jul
'05
2:16 p.m.
>>>> "Scott" == Scott Stevens
<chenmel at earthlink.net> writes:
Scott> On Mon, 11 Jul 2005 19:15:03 -0400 (EDT) William Donzelli
Scott> <aw288 at osfn.org> wrote:
> > I would not take the chance, personally.
Maybe it's because I
> own > my home and I happen to like living in it and all the stuff
> I've > accumulated thus far in my life ;) It's not that much work
> to run > the correct wiring.
>
> Nor would I - but I am a son of a Chicago hospital electrician. I
> still use thinwall and BX (and even got exposed to thickwall a
> weekend ago).
>
> It is not much work, but for anyone that does this, please
> research the project so everything is code. Too many people take
> shortcuts.
>
Scott> We have knob and tube wiring in part of our house here, and
Scott> scanty, if any, grounding. The switchbox/fusebox is bolted to
Scott> the outside of the house in the back porch, and newer upgrade
Scott> boxes and switches cascade down the wall beneath the original,
Scott> which appears to be from the 1920's. This place was built in
Scott> 1900 and the wiring and other fancy stuff like running water
Scott> were added years later.
Scott> I *do* need to upgrade the wiring and service sometime soon.
Scott> There are places in the cellar (which is beneath only one room
Scott> of the house) where the wiring, although quite sound as far as
Scott> I can estimate, is very scary looking.
Getting a copy of the Electric Code would be a good idea (also "Wiring
Simplified" by Richter, an excellent book). Knob & tube wiring is
still legal (though you can't install more of it) -- which is more
than I can say for some work I have seen in newer houses that was done
by people who are licensed -- and clearly do not deserve to be. Stuff
like grounding wires left unconnected in bathroom baseboard
heaters... yikes.
paul