Knob-and-Tube Wiring Replacement · Allentown, PA
Knob-and-Tube Wiring Replacement in Allentown, PA
Knob-and-tube replacement removes early wiring (about 1880s to 1940s) that runs on ceramic knobs and tubes without a ground, and replaces it with modern grounded cable. It is commonly done before insulating, during renovations, or when an insurer requires it.
- Call now to check electrician availability in your area
- Independent, licensed electricians
- Serving Old Allentown, West End, Center City and more
Why knob-and-tube wiring replacement comes up in Allentown
Allentown's brick and stone rowhouses in Center City and the Old Allentown historic district, and the larger homes of the West End, were built from the 1880s to the 1920s, and knob-and-tube wiring still runs behind plaster in many of them. Rowhouses split into apartments often have old circuits spliced into newer ones. Shared walls limit routes, so the electrician works through floors, basements and attics, usually floor by floor.
Old Allentown's historic district reviews visible exterior changes. Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license, so check what the city requires. Permits come from the City of Allentown's building standards and safety office, and PPL coordinates service changes.
- Rowhouses often have knob-and-tube or cloth wiring, 60 amp services and few outlets, and many have been divided into apartments.
- Knob-and-tube in rowhouses.
- Allentown's brick and stone rowhouses in Center City and Old Allentown date largely from the late 1800s and early 1900s, and many still have knob-and-tube or cloth-insulated wiring behind plaster, sometimes alongside circuits added when houses were split into apartments.
- Before buying a rowhouse in Center City or Old Allentown, an inspection can reveal knob-and-tube, cloth wiring, 60 amp services, fuse panels and apartments created with wiring added without permits.
- Permits in Allentown
- Electrical permits inside the city come from the City of Allentown's building standards and safety office; surrounding townships issue their own. Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license, so check what the city or township requires.
- Electric utility
- PPL Electric Utilities
Signs to look for
- Ceramic knobs and tubes visible in the attic or basement
- Two-prong outlets throughout the house
- An insulation contractor or energy program requiring an assessment
- An insurer asking about wiring type
- Fuses or a small service alongside old wiring
How the work is done
1. Trace active circuits
The electrician identifies which knob-and-tube runs are still live and where they go.
2. Plan the routes
New cable routes are planned through attics, basements and walls to minimize openings.
3. Install new circuits
Grounded cable, boxes and devices are installed and the old wiring is disconnected.
4. Inspect and patch
Rough-in and final inspections are completed, and access holes are patched.
What moves the price in Allentown
Electricians set their own prices. Rowhouses often have knob-and-tube or cloth wiring, 60 amp services and few outlets, and many have been divided into apartments.
- How much knob-and-tube is still active
- Plaster versus drywall walls
- Attic and basement access
- Number of floors
- Panel upgrade at the same time
- Wall patching and painting
Knob-and-Tube Wiring Replacement in Allentown: questions
Do I need a permit for knob-and-tube wiring replacement in Allentown?
Usually, yes. Electrical permits inside the city come from the City of Allentown's building standards and safety office; surrounding townships issue their own. Pennsylvania has no statewide electrician license, so check what the city or township requires. The electrician normally pulls the permit and schedules the inspection.
Is the utility involved in Allentown?
If the work affects the meter or service, the electrician coordinates with PPL Electric Utilities, which owns the meter and service drop.
Is knob-and-tube wiring illegal?
Existing knob-and-tube is generally not illegal, but it cannot be extended, and many insurers and lenders treat it as a reason to replace.
Can knob-and-tube be insulated over?
It is not recommended, and many codes and insulation programs prohibit it, because the wiring relies on open air to cool.
How do I know if mine is still live?
An electrician can test it. Many homes have a mix of active and abandoned knob-and-tube.
How long does replacement take?
From a few days for a small home with good access to a few weeks for larger plaster-walled homes.
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