Introduction
House fires caused by faulty electrical wiring have always been a problem. As someone who owns an old house, I often worry about the safety of the wiring inside the walls. If only I had known about some of the ingenious historical wiring methods, I could have upgraded my wiring and potentially saved my house from a devastating fire. In this article, I will explore some of the most surprising ways people have wired buildings in the past that were much less prone to starting fires. Knowing about these methods now could inspire me to rewire my house and protect it from an electrical blaze.
Knob and Tube Wiring
One of the earliest forms of electrical wiring used in homes and buildings was called knob and tube wiring. This involved running wires through ceramic knobs mounted to boards or joists, and through porcelain tubes when wires had to pass through open spaces.
The key advantage of knob and tube wiring was that it was completely open to the air, unlike modern insulated wires crammed together inside walls and attics. The free airflow prevented the wires from overheating, which is the primary cause of electrical fires. This ingenious method of spreading wires out was much safer than how many houses are currently wired today.
If I had known about knob and tube wiring when my house was built in the 1950s, I could have insisted on this old fashioned but effective wiring method. It would have reduced my fire risk considerably compared to the dangerous bundled wires behind my walls.
Gas Pipe and Conduit Wiring
Another historical wiring technique that could have protected my house was gas pipe and conduit wiring. This system involved running electrical wires through heavy-duty gas pipes or metal conduits.
The thick pipe casing grounded the wires and dispersed heat safely. Gas pipe wiring was common in the 1800s and early 1900s in commercial buildings and homes. The metal jacketing around each wire prevented sparks, overheating, and fires. It also deterred rodents from chewing on wires, which can ignite a blaze.
Like knob and tube wiring, conduit wiring kept wires neatly separated and allowed air circulation. This method was Championed by Thomas Edison in his own buildings because of its fire safety benefits. If I had known about gas pipe/conduit wiring when my house was constructed, I could have requested this superior wiring technique.
Series Circuits
Another way historical wiring systems reduced fire risk was through the use of series circuits instead of parallel circuits. In a series circuit, each light or appliance is wired one after another in a loop, rather than branching off in parallel lines from a central point.
The low-amperage series loop meant the wires were only carrying the load of a single bulb at a time, rather than the combined load of multiple bulbs in parallel. This significantly reduced overheating and fire hazards. Series circuits were used in the late 1800s but faded away after Edison's parallel wiring became popular. However, the series design was much safer.
If I could go back in time to when my house was built, I would have campaigned for a series loop wiring system. The lights may have dimmed when multiple bulbs were on, but the reduced fire risk would have given me great peace of mind.
Conclusion
Learning about these historical wiring methods and their fire prevention benefits has been eye-opening for me as a homeowner. Knob and tube wiring, conduit pipes, and series circuits were ingenious systems that kept wires separate, cool, and safe from overheating. I wish I could go back and retrofit my home to use these techniques. For anyone building or remodeling an older home, I highly recommend looking into these surprising historical wiring methods to protect your investment and prevent tragedy. The past offers simple but clever solutions that could save your house from an electrical blaze.