-=> Quoting Dave Lyle to Wes Leatherock <=-
 DL> (( On 12-20-1997, Wes Leatherock wrote to Herman Trivilino: ))
 
 WL> HT> towel rack, and repeat the same measurements with the ladder and
 WL> HT> the three contacts of the three-prong outlet.
 
 WL>         He mentioned he had knob-and-tube wiring, so it is unlikely
 WL>it was installed recently enough that three-prong outlets were in use
 WL>except in 220-volt applications, as for room air conditioners, etc.
 DL> I gotta know. What is knob-and-tube wiring?
          I'm sorry to say I posted this reply in the wrong echo.
          Knob-and-tube wiring is a type of house wiring in which the
conductors are supported on knobs at frequent intervals.  Tubes
(usually porcelain) are used when one wire crosses another.  (This is
somewhat simplified, but a basic description.)
          It little used now in new construction, and is not permitted
in many places.  Romex, conduit and other types of wiring are the most
common now.
          Knob-and-tube is perfectly safe if installed properly, but
requires a capable and skilled electrician who will take pains in
doing the wiring.  It has fallen out of favor because it requires a
skilled and careful workman, it is difficult for the electrical
inspectors to examine without being almost constantly on site, and if
done with all the care that must be used it is probably more expensive
now than the other less critical and less labor intensive methods of
wiring.
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