Since electrical work isn’t for amateurs, many homeowners don’t know much about the electrical systems in their homes. With all the wiring hidden behind the walls, it may be that all you know is what you learned in your pre-sale inspection -- if you remember, that is.

When it comes to electrical infrastructure, one attribute that sets homes apart is the type of wiring in the walls. And for several decades’ worth of older homes, that type is old-fashioned knob and tube wiring.

What Is Knob and Tube?

Knob and tube wiring dates all the way back to the 1880s, but it was still in widespread use as recently as the 1950s. For most of its heyday, it was the most economical choice for wiring a new home, both in terms of installation and cost of materials. But by the 50s, mass production of modern electrical cables offered a cheaper, safer alternative.

This type of wiring consists of two wires -- a hot wire and a neutral wire -- strung within walls and above ceilings using porcelain knobs and tubes. The tubes provided a safe place to run wires through studs and joists, and the knobs supported the wires and made it easy to wrap them around corners.

The wires are protected with sheaths. In the early days, these were made of treated cloth, but electricians eventually switched to rubber. Neither material was designed to last forever.

Is it Safe?

Electrical code prohibits the use of knob and tube wiring in most new construction, and homeowners insurance companies often won’t insure homes until they’ve replaced these systems. While it’s true that it’s not the safest choice, knob and tube wiring can still be used safely, but with limitations and special precautions.

One thing knob and tube wiring still does well is release heat. Because the wires are spread out and suspended in air, there’s lots of room for electrical heat to dissipate, which is good for energy efficiency and the wiring itself. But that also means knob and tube wiring can endanger flammable materials like insulation.

To safely use this wiring in any structure, you must be certain that all wiring is clear of flammable materials and that the system is well maintained.

What About Limitations?

Another risk with knob and tube wiring is that there’s no ground wire, which increases the possibility of electrical shock. It also means you can’t use any electronics or appliances with a three-prong plug, as the third prong connects to the ground wire. This inconvenience is often what motivates homeowners to upgrade.

But even where knob and tube can be made to work, homeowners may want to expand that system to other areas of the home. This often means splicing new wiring and fixtures into the existing system, which can lead to overloaded fuses.

A dangerous mistake is to simply upgrade the fuses when this happens. This will get the juice flowing again, but the wiring can get dangerously hot, and the protective sheaths may have deteriorated over their decades of service. It’s a fire waiting to ignite.

Stay Safe

If your home still has knob and tube, it’s important to have it periodically inspected. Even if it’s deemed safe, there’s no substitute for the safety and convenience of modern wiring. And if you’re not sure what kind of wiring you have, just reach out to your local, licensed electricians for a quick inspection!

For some, flickering lights are an annoyance and can be a distraction. Others don’t notice the inconsistency in the lights. But, that fluctuation in light can signal problems in the circuitry or light fixtures in one’s home. Depending on the source of the problem, it could lead to serious safety issues in a home.

All lights flicker to some extent, based on the amount of power that is coming into the lines in your home.  If your lights flash or flicker regularly, it’s often a sign that there’s a problem – either in connection or power use. Situational flickering – like when an air conditioner starts – is a sign that there’s an issue with power supply. Simply put, the dip of the lights when the AC unit starts up occurs because the AC pulls the available electricity supply from the light. It’s usually temporary. It may also be a sign that the outdoor AC unit isn’t wired for maximum amperage. If the flickering lights aren’t related to a large appliance powering up and running, it’s a sign that there are issues – home may be brighter and more comfortable.

In an effort to recognize the ever-increasing impact television has on people living all over the world, the United Nations General Assembly created World Television Day on November 21 back in 1996.

Ever since the very first televised images were produced in the 1800s, TV has obviously advanced by leaps and bounds, especially in recent years. Mr. Electric invites you to take a moment to appreciate the many services and capabilities having a television provides, particularly in a time of multi-screening, and all the advanced features available from today’s hottest technological offerings.

Education: Public broadcasting and other educational channels serve to educate the young and old alike. Television is an excellent resource for learning how the world works and getting people interested in math, science and other important fields.

Information: Whether you’re hoping to learn more about political candidates, receive updates on wars, learn what’s happening in your local community, or stay on top of breaking news around the world, TV is an excellent source of information. It’s faster than printed news because the latest stories can be broadcasted immediately.

Entertainment: There’s nothing like winding down after a long day in front of the television. Endless categories of entertainment are available, from comedies and dramas to horror and thrillers. Don’t forget the way TV has changed the way we watch sports. Football wouldn’t be what it is today with television.

Relationships: People can bond with one another based on what’s on TV. Whether it’s watching a favorite show together, tuning in to a political debate to spark conversation or watching your team make it to the Super Bowl, TV brings people together.

Inspiration: Just as people can be inspired by what they see walking down the street, television can also spark inspiration. This leads to new fashion designs, inventions and technological advancements.

Cultural influences: TV is a huge contributor to pop culture. Trendy shows become the talk of the town. People become excited about what happens to the characters in a particular TV show and an entire generation is impacted by it.

TVs are becoming more advanced and high-tech than ever before. These advancements help you get more out of your television.

“Smart” functionality: A smart TV has Internet features, making it an example of today’s popular convergence of computers and televisions. This functionality opens up an entirely new way to watch TV, allowing for on-demand video streaming, home networking access and social media interaction, in addition to the basic broadcasting media available on standard TVs.

Multi-screening: An increasing number of people have Smartphones today. This encourages multi-screening, when television viewers weigh in on what’s happening live on social media, particularly Twitter. This connects people who have never met and lets them discuss and debate topics they’re both interested in.

4K resolution: Also known as ultra high definition, 4K resolution is a relatively new technology that has yet to become the standard because compatible content is still quite limited. 4K televisions are equivalent to 2160p, as compared to 1080p for standard high definition. As this technology becomes more ubiquitous, the television-watching experience will become closer to real life than ever before.

Curved TVs: This new innovation attempts to mimic the way you perceive the real world. The result is a more immersive, realistic experience that gives the illusion of watching content in a wider field of view.

Celebrate World Television Day in style with a new media room in your home. If you’re interested in adding one, please contact Mr. Electric® for a professional installation. We’re here to power your home's tomorrow.

Anyone who has ever tried to plug in an appliance only to find that it wouldn’t turn on is familiar with how frustrating electrical outlet wiring problems can be. The whole purpose of having outlets is the convenience, but that goes right out the window when they stop working without warning. Although a dead outlet might automatically seem like a big problem, sometimes it can be due to a simple issue. This isn’t always the case, of course — sometimes there will be electrical outlet wiring problems that can only be addressed by a professional, particularly when the issue is with your outlet’s wiring.

You might be able to save yourself a call to an electrician if your outlet problem is something easily fixed. You can even resolve some minor issues without the use of tools! If you know what steps to take, you may be able to figure out if the dead outlet is something you can remedy yourself. If you discover the problem is something that should be handled by a professional, don’t take any chances. Messing around with wiring can put you in danger and damage your electrical system instead of making the problem go away.

A simple issue can quickly turn into a very expensive one if you aren’t careful. Here are some easy things to try that won’t put you in any danger: