Knob and tube splices - Electrician Talk - Professional Electrical Contractors Forum

s.kelly · 07-15-2009, 08:41 AM

394.56 says knob and tube splices shall be soldered unless approved splicing devices are used. What counts as approved splicing devices?
Not even really sure where I would find out.
Well, except mabye here!

waco · 07-15-2009, 09:40 AM

As far as I'm concerned, Ideal wirenuts are appropriate. I don't know if they are approved, but inspectors never question them.

K&T has in-line splices which I don't disturb, but if I did, I'd have to install them in an enclosure and make the whole splice an "approved" method.

Years ago, in-line crimps and shrinktube were acceptable to the inspectors for in-line splices, but I never used them and still don't.

Toronto Sparky · 07-15-2009, 11:29 AM

Western union splice soldered and covered in friction tape. Just tell them it was already there..

InPhase277 · 07-15-2009, 01:57 PM

I wouldn't splice into any K&T unless I just absolutely, positively had no other choice. And if I did, I'd do it like it was done back in the day: solder, rubber tape, friction tape. I suppose a split bolt might be acceptable, maybe even a clam shell if you removed the insulation first.

s.kelly · 07-16-2009, 08:34 PM

thanks for the input everyone... saw something on another forum that got me thinking, and in my area I may very well come up against this situation in the future.

gilbequick · 07-16-2009, 09:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by s.kelly

thanks for the input everyone... saw something on another forum that got me thinking, and in my area I may very well come up against this situation in the future.

Soooooooooo what did you see?

s.kelly · 07-16-2009, 10:38 PM

Nothing all that interesting. It is a old house website and a guy was posting about a project he was finising. Said all he had left was to pull the k&T back and splice to it or something like that. Wondered to myself if he had any idea what he was doing, and thought I remembered the mention of solder in the code. Looked it up, and wondered what any current mfg. would have listed.

A quick look back in search MDShunk had a link to someone who sells K&T supplies today. Have not taked the time to look it up though.

MDShunk · 07-16-2009, 10:45 PM

I've spliced K&T quite a bit in the past. Usually use a #12 or #14 copper split bolt or a Buchannan crimp sleeve. Tape as necessary. In my opinion, a wirenut would be legal, but is just too bulky and raises eyebrows. A more stealth splice is sometime the order of the day.