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Services...
At Joe O'Connell Electrical Contracting,
we know that our clients in
Waltham MA want their
experience to be professional and
efficient. They also require a wide
selection of electrical services
from us. Below are details for our
Knob and Tube Wiring and Circuit
Breaker Panel Upgrades services.
Knob and Tube Wiring for Waltham MA
What is Knob and Tube Wiring?
 Knob-and
tube wiring is very common in older
homes in Waltham MA, and is somewhat
controversial. But having
knob-and-tube wiring in your house
isn’t always a problem and in fact,
it is not inferior to modern wiring
in many ways, as most believe.
Understanding knob and tube wiring
and its common issues will help you
determine whether or not it needs to
be replaced.
So what is exactly is knob-and-tube
wiring? This wiring was used in
homes until approximately 1950. The
wire gets its name from the ceramic
knobs that support it and the
ceramic tubes that protect the wire
as it passes through wood framing
members such as floor joists.
One of the main differences between
modern wiring and knob and tube in
Waltham MA is
that the black and white wires are
run separately and are spaced
several inches apart in knob and
tube wiring. In modern wiring, the
black wire, white wire and ground
wire are all wrapped up in a single
cable. Another difference is the
wire insulation. Modern wiring is
insulated with plastic while knob
and tube uses rubber. The breakdown
of the insulation over time on knob
and tube wiring is often the reason
it is replaced. It’s important to
note that this is frequently the
result of overheating or mechanical
abuse.
The fact that the copper wire used
in knob and tube is larger diameter
than that in today’s wire is an
advantage for knob and tube. Larger
wires stay cooler as electricity
flows through them. The fact that
the wire is older and has been in
service for many years is a
disadvantage of knob and tube, of
course. Another is the absence of a
ground wire, which creates an
emergency path for stray electricity
that helps avoid shocks. Modern
cable has a ground wire, knob and
tube does not.
Some of the other common problems
you may come across with knob and
tube in Waltham MA include:
-
 Poor
Connections: Problems with
knob and tube wire almost always
result from amateurish
connections made after original
installation
-
Cannot Insulate It!: Since
it is difficult if not
impossible to determine where
all knob and tube wiring is run
throughout a house, you cannot
insulate. If it were, this
could lead to potential fire
hazards. In addition, MASS SAVE
requires insulation, so if it is
desired to use the benefits of
the MASS SAVE program, all knob
and tube wiring must be replaced
with conventional electrical
wiring so that it can be safely
insulated.
-
Increased Insurance Rates:
Because of the potential
inherent danger in a home with
old, potentially failing knob
and tube wiring, Insurance
Company rates will often be more
as compared with homes without
knob and tube wiring.
-
Brittleness: As mentioned
earlier, the rubber insulation
on knob and tube can become
brittle. The wire will often
become brittle in high heat
areas, including connections
above ceiling light fixtures.
These problems can cause wires to
short circuit or overheat. Should
you have any concerns about these
issues surrounding knob-and-tube in
Waltham MA,
contact us and we would be happy to
help resolve your issues or
concerns.
If you don’t have any particular
issues but would like to replace the
knob and tube wiring in your house,
the best time to do this is when you
are remodeling your home. This is
less expensive as the walls,
ceilings and floors are open and
accessible. Many homeowners replace
knob and tube as individual rooms
are remodeled. Remodeling projects
usually include adding more
receptacles, ground-fault- and
arc-fault circuit interrupters. It’s
very common to find pre-1950s homes
with a combination of modern wiring
and knob and tube.
One last important consideration:
Many insurance companies may not
insure homes in Waltham MA with knob and tube
wiring, no matter what its condition.
You may need to replace the wiring
for insurance reasons.
Joe O'Connell
Electrical Contracting has extensive
experience in servicing all
electrical needs associated with
knob and tube wiring and would be
happy to assist you as needed.
Circuit Breaker Panel Upgrades for Waltham MA
Electrical panel upgrades can become
necessary for several reasons. Home
renovations or an addition in
Waltham MA can lead
to the necessity for more circuits
than are available with the current
electrical panel. Situations can
also occur even when additional
amperage isn’t required. Panel boxes
can begin making intermittent
crackling sounds; fuses can begin to
blow out on a regular basis, or
flickering lights can occur. When
any of these problems are noticed,
it is time to have the panel box
inspected.
Major Home Renovation and
Additions
Renovations often entail additional
outlets, switches, and upgrading of
existing fixtures. When this occurs,
additional amperage may be required.
That means more circuit breakers
must be installed. If the existing
panel box has no more slots for
breakers, an upgrade becomes
necessary. For an addition such as a
mother-in-law suite, bathroom, or
den, several new circuits become
necessary. In some circumstances,
the panel upgrade may require a
second electrical panel being
installed and connected to the main
panel.
Panel Box Makes Crackling Sound
Intermittent humming or crackling
noises coming from the electrical
panel are reasons to call an
electrician immediately. The sound
can be caused by a number of
possibilities. A loose wire on one
of the breakers; burnt contacts on
the panel box, an overloaded
circuit, or a worn out breaker, can
cause the irregular noise. A
qualified professional can test the
equipment and determine the cause.
Panel Box Fuses Blow Regularly
Electrical panel boxes that contain
fuses “fuse boxes” are the
forerunner of the modern, commonly
used “breaker Box”. These early
types of electrical panels were not
designed to carry the loads of the
multiple, high tech devices found in
today’s home. Decades old, they
almost always reach the point when
fuses blow on a regular basis.
Antiquated by design, fuse panel
boxes should be upgraded before
these problems occur.
Flickering Lights Caused by Panel
Box
Flickering lights is a symptom that
needs to be diagnosed by an
electrician. If it only happens with
one light, the probable cause could
be a switch. If all the lights on a
circuit flicker, the panel box may
need to be examined. Flickering is
usually accompanied by a short
somewhere in the system. Heat can be
created, causing wires to become
scorched and discolored. In severe
cases, fire can develop.
Corrosion or Rust Issue in Panel Box
If corrosion or rust exists around
terminals, breakers, etc... the
panel requires repair/upgrading to
remove the corrosion and/or rust
from components.
Installation by Non-Qualified
Personnel
If a non-qualified person, such as a
handyman or other contractor without
an electricians training and
license, installs or make
modifications to panel box(es),
there can often be issues with
improper (and unsafe) installation
of components and use of installation
methods such as installing wrong
circuit breakers for the intended
application, improperly using
"tandems" or "mini's" to fit within
a given slot that don't meet the
required power ratings, etc...
Electrical panels are a crucial part
of any wiring system in Waltham MA, and as such
should be maintained and upgraded as
recommended by a qualified
electrician. A scheduled yearly
inspection will keep problems at
bay, and insure the safety and
integrity of your home.
Joe O'Connell Electrical Contracting
has significant experience in
providing electrical upgrades -
contact us today to assist you with
any questions or concerns you may
have regarding service panel
upgrades in Waltham MA.
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Call us today or use our convenient
Request Form
to discuss your project needs.
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