Knob and Tube loop

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normel

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Is it unusual to find a knob and tube circuit wired in a loop?
We cut the existing wires to accommodate a remodel. When checking to determine from which direction the power was coming from, were surprised to find both sides of the cut were hot (measured hot to neutral, each side of cut, with a Wiggy).
 
Re: Knob and Tube loop

not unusual - chances are there are two separate circuits (on the same phase) leaving the panel (either Edison base or upgraded circuit breaker)...and at some point are tied together....I guess those electricians putting all those runs (K&T) together got carried away at times....I know I've run into it more than once.
 
Re: Knob and Tube loop

Normel, Watch out for knob & tube 3way switches,the way they were wired was to feed 120v.a.c. to the travellers and then run from the point side of both switches to the light.
 
Re: Knob and Tube loop

Called a chicago 3 way or what ever,a shared neutral either way you go.A ground makes it work but is it safe?????JMHO
 
Re: Knob and Tube loop

Normel back to the loop, in some cases this might be a good thing as far as the conductor/s operating cooler, and this might even be a better good thing when discussing K&T.

Is it legal, not if you consider it a parallel conductor, but I do not, and that's a different thread. :D

If it is two OCPD's in parallel as Dana mentions, it is definatly a violation today, see 240.8 and I believe it is a violation in some of the regs overseas where "Ring Circuits" are used.

In a "Ring Circuit", the current will divide to flow in two directions and never load the conductor as heavily as a one direction flow.

Of course there are dangers here too.

Roger

[ August 19, 2004, 08:56 PM: Message edited by: roger ]
 
Re: Knob and Tube loop

KNOB AND TUBE 3 WAYS CAN REALLY SCREW YOU UP.
I CHANGED A SERVICE A LONG TIME AGO AND CLEANED UP SOME OF THE CIRCUITS IN THE BASEMENT, SOME OF IT WAS KNOB AND TUBE.
WHEN WE PACKED UP OUR TOOLS ON THE WAY OUT THE DOOR THE LADY OF THE HOUSE SAID HER 3 WAYS WERE NOT WORKING. IT TOOK ME HOURS TO FIND THE PROBLEM.
 
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