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It can be safe to buy or live in a house with knob and tube (K&T) wiring, but only if the system is in good condition, functional, and has been thoroughly inspected and approved by a licensed electrician. Never purchase a home with K&T wiring without getting a professional electrical inspection first.

Key considerations include:

• Safety and Condition: An inspector will verify that the wiring is safe and has not deteriorated. Over time, the insulation can wear away, leaving exposed wires that pose a significant fire or shock hazard.

• System Capacity: The electrical service should be at least 60 amps. However, even at this capacity, K&T systems often struggle to handle the demands of modern appliances and electronics.

• Lack of Grounding: Knob and tube wiring is an ungrounded system, which is a safety concern for many modern devices.

• Ongoing Maintenance: If you live in a home with K&T wiring, it's recommended to have it inspected by an electrician every one to two years to ensure it remains in safe working order.

Ultimately, any inspection or modification of a knob and tube system should always be performed by a certified professional.

The National Electrical Codebook indicates that there should be at least 6 inches of wiring in the breaker box for connecting purposes. When in doubt, err on the side more, because you can always cut some wire off but you can never add it back on, and if you don’t have enough you may struggle to finish wiring your breaker box properly.

Knowing if and when your circuit breaker is failing or faulty can prevent costly damage. If you notice any of the following signs, call a local electrician to help. 

• The breaker frequently trips

• The breaker doesn't stay in the 'on' position or reset properly

• You hear buzzing or humming noises coming from the breaker

• There's discoloration around the breaker switch

• There's a burning smell or visible signs of damage on the breaker

Amps describe the amount of energy that can flow through a circuit breaker. Every electrical device that’s attached to the breaker requires about 1.5 amps. While that equates to roughly 13 receptacles per 20 amps, using slightly fewer ensures that your circuit will always have enough energy for sudden power surges instead of tripping when one occurs. In general, 10 to 12 receptacles is recommended for a 20 amp circuit.