Somewhat OT Knob & Tube wiring (was Re: Power and the RA82)

[Vintage Computer Festival]

On Tue, 12 Jul 2005, Ethan Dicks wrote:

> Have to admit, though, that except for basements and attics, I've
> always seen that kind of wiring _inside_ the walls (or threaded
> through former gas-light pipes).  I've never seen a ground wire with
> knob and tube.  AFAIK, that didn't even come into fashion when they
> switched to asphalt-impregnated cloth-covered Romex (1940s?).  I think
> ground wires became standard in my area post 1960, with the advent of
> plastic-covered Romex.

I once helped a friend wire a new T1 for his ISP.  His office is located
in a real old building with knob & tube wiring.  Being the most limber, I
agreed to go up into the attic and crawl around amongst the wiring to run
the cable through.  That was scary, as I had no idea if the wires were
live or not and my friend's reassurance that the power was shut off didn't
seem to be based on any factual knowledge.  Very disconcerting.

-- 

Sellam Ismail                                        Vintage Computer Festival
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