Utah has plenty of homes from the early and middle 1900s, from the Avenues and Sugar House in Salt Lake City to main streets in Sanpete and Cache counties. Many still have some original wiring behind the plaster.
Knob and tube wiring
Used into the 1940s, knob and tube runs single conductors through ceramic knobs and tubes. It has no ground wire, its insulation becomes brittle with age, and it was designed to shed heat into open air, so burying it in attic insulation is a problem. Look for ceramic knobs in the attic or basement and two-prong outlets throughout the house.
Aluminum branch wiring
Between the mid-1960s and mid-1970s some homes were wired with aluminum on regular 15 and 20 amp circuits. Aluminum expands and contracts more than copper and oxidizes at connections, which can loosen and overheat at outlets and switches. The cable jacket is usually marked AL or ALUMINUM.
Why it matters
- Loose or brittle connections are a fire risk
- Ungrounded circuits offer no protection for modern electronics
- Insurers and lenders often ask for an electrician's evaluation
- Old circuits were never sized for today's kitchens, laundry rooms and home offices
What are the options?
Start with an electrical inspection so you know what you have. Knob and tube is best replaced. Aluminum can be replaced or repaired at each connection with connectors approved for the purpose. Whole house rewiring can be done in stages, usually without removing large areas of wall, and it is often combined with an electrical panel upgrade.
Signs to act now
Warm cover plates, flickering lights, a burning smell or fuses that blow often are reasons to call for electrical repair without waiting.
KITMUND rewires older homes across the state, including Salt Lake City, Ogden, Logan and Manti. Call (888) 633-7804.