Sparks, in alot of DIYer projects I would say go for it, but when it comes to K&T it is best left to an electrician. The old wiring method is not necessarily a danger, but never the less, should be handled by a pro.

Roger

I am curious as to why this is not a DIY project since all that is involved from an electrical standpoint is hooking up 2 wires inside a box. I'm not changing anything except swapping one fixture that draws minimal current for another. The only thing I'd like to know is why the wires weren't clamped to the box as is required today. Was there a good reason for it, or had the need for clamps not been recognized when this wiring was put in? Others I have talked to have said their knob and tube wiring is not clamped to the boxes either.

I can't find a code section that says "open wiring" [read knob & tube conductors] had to be clamped to the box...320-6(a) requires these conductors to be 'supported' [read a knob] within 12" of a connection to a lampholder or receptacle.

These old conductors were secured with a knob within 12" of boxes , as is sheathed electrical cable [secured that is] - but where sheathed electrical cable is required to be clamped to the box I don't know if these old conductors were required to be clamped.

Maybe one of the more code-savvy readers will find a code section for that....however, it may not have been a code requirement back when your wiring was originally installed.

[This message has been edited by dana1028 (edited June 10, 2003).]