We recommended that a electrician evaluate this service, and was an extreme hazard.
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This is a very old fuse box
found on a recent inspection. There is multiple
tapping of the mains, the branch circuits, and was likely overloaded.
This is a multi family dwelling with additional circuits had been added
over the years (we found that there were 2 other fuse boxes connected
through this one). Knob and tube wiring
throughout the dwelling was an additional issue that needed to be
addressed. We recommended that a electrician evaluate this service, and was an extreme hazard. Back to our Homepage |
This panel had several double triple and this quadruple tapped
breaker, with different gage branch circuit wires. Click the picture for a close up
 Recognizing these hazards are critical to you and your families safety |
Multiple (or Double or more) tapping is connecting 2 or more wires to a connection designed for 1 wire. This can create hot spots on breakers and neutral bars if not tightened to the correct torque and especially if two different size conductors are used. Because the hot and neutral wires are current carrying conductors, the chance is then greater for potential hot spots. If the double tap or lug becomes lose, it begins to arc. As it arcs it builds up carbon. Carbon is then resistance and with the more carbon buildup the more difficult it is for the conductor to make contact....thus increasing the current. End result can be the breaker tripping because of the loose connection (excessive current exceeding the rating of the breaker), or signs of overheating such as discolored wires, melted wires, etc, or fire.
- No safety ground conductor;
- Sometimes switching of the neutral conductor
- In-line-splices in walls without using an accessible junction box
- Often overloaded as new circuits added over time
- Insulation is less resistant to damage, has a lower temperature rating, and it less water-resistant
Older homes may have knob-and-tube wiring for all or part of their electrical system. Such wiring systems may require replacement and modernization, as they are generally inadequate for modern levels of power use. Knob-and-tube wiring may have been damaged by renovations done in the building over the years, its wiring insulation may have become dried-out and brittle, or it may have been damaged by rodents or carelessness (for example, hanging objects off wiring running in accessible areas like basements). Most lighting fixtures will have brittle insulation as they age due to higher wattage and heat of modern light bulbs. Many originally had 40 watt bulbs, when was the last time you saw one that small in a room lighting fixture?
See our Homeowners Library for more valuable information