Any Electricians?

[MattBaggins]

DU is probably not the best place to ask but what the hey. How does one test knob and tube wiring to see if it is still live? I believe it has all been disconnected but am still worried that someone might have spliced it into some NM wire.

[R3dD0g]

1. What is knob & tube wiring?

And what is 'NM' wire?

But to your question. Most electricians just grab the household wire and if it bites them they know it's still alive.

[Wink]

3. DO NOT DO THIS

This could cause an erratic heartbeat and cardiac arrest. Not likely, but possible.

[MattBaggins]

6. Knob and Tube

is an old style wiring where only a hot lead and neutral return are run side by side through the house. Each wire is supported by ceramic knobs (over joists) and tubes(through joists). There is no ground and the wires are wrapped with a rubberized cloth.

NM is generic for non-metallic, ie. the modern day sheathed wiring.

[Old and In the Way]

7. Nomex cable?

Volt meter, set to 120VAC, is the quickest way to check if it's hot

[Wink]

2. I am

You really sound lost but here ya go....You need a volt meter. Then you need to set it for voltage AC and measure across two lines and/or each line to ground (a water pipe is a good ground). Either way you should have no voltage. Good luck.

[burrowowl]

4. Insulated test screwdriver

cheaper if it is just household voltage. For bigger stuff no.

[MattBaggins]

8. Knob and tube has no ground

No water pipes in the attic. Really really long ground wire to the basement?

[Rjnerd]

5. Played one on TV

I would connect one side of a meter to ground, and probe the wires, looking for voltage. Or I would pull the main breaker, cut the stuff at each end that you can find, restore power and then look for dead circuits. (I would still take the meter, and check the cut ends - in old enough wiring, (or plumbing) assume nothing.