Old metal box for light switch. Replace or is it OK?
- Thread starter Andrew21
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Jadnashua
Retired Defense Industry Engineer xxx
That was common before plastics became more prevalent. The insulation gets brittle so if you have to move things around, it could be a problem but otherwise should be okay. Didn't notice if it had a ground, but if it doesn't, and you can run new stuff with grounds, then I'd consider it. You'll probably want to replace the switches and receptacles, and that will flex the wires which may have the insulation of the exposed ares just fall apart. You'll know once you start to move things.
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Speedy Petey
Licensed Electrical Contractor
Those boxes are not put together properly. They left the side plate on the one on the left. If you are adding a switch I would definitely replace it with a new 3-gang plastic nail-on box.
That wire has been in my house for 90 years. With that said, any time I have a chance to rip it out and replace it with new wire that has a ground I do it. You have everything exposed now, so do the job right and put in new materals that are actually being used in the last few decades.
I know. I was scared when I saw that for the first time. I thought it was aluminum wiring!!!
Scuba_Dave
Extreme DIY Homeowner
I hate triple boxes
I use dual switches instead, in one quad box I have a triple switch
I also replace the old wiring in the house whan I open a wall
I figure ~60 years is good time span for existing, & another 60 years for new stuff will outlast me
The triple has a 3rd switch in the middle
I use dual switches instead, in one quad box I have a triple switch
I also replace the old wiring in the house whan I open a wall
I figure ~60 years is good time span for existing, & another 60 years for new stuff will outlast me
The triple has a 3rd switch in the middle
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hj
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switches
With those double and triple switches, you had better have a large enough box for the wires they need. especially if that double switch is a double three way, which it looks like since it is not labeled On/Off.
With those double and triple switches, you had better have a large enough box for the wires they need. especially if that double switch is a double three way, which it looks like since it is not labeled On/Off.
ilya
In the Trades
I suspect that wiring from 1920 was all knob-and-tube. The single wire stuff, sometimes not even color coded white for the neutral.Held in place with two piece ceramic "knobs" with a nail thru them, and protected by "tubes" when it passes thru timbers. Splices twisted and soldered, then taped-no box! I have Cushing's "Standard wiring for electric light and power" copyright 1919, and it's fascinating.
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