Hey everyone! I recently bought a 106-year-old house, and while the basement and first floor have been updated, the upstairs is still using knob and tube wiring. I'm trying to figure out if it's safe to power my work setup with a heavy-duty surge protector meant for high-draw tools in the meantime. I have two laptops, three monitors, a lamp, and a litter robot to plug in. I also have the option to use my laptop instead of a TV. Any advice would be great while I save up for a rewire! Thanks!
3 Answers
Honestly, you're likely good to go until you can get the rewire done. Just keep an eye on your load, and if you’re using the working outlet, you should be okay!
When I had knob and tube, I used a power strip with a ground plug adapter since the outlets didn't have those. Just be careful with how much you plug in, but you should be fine operating two monitors and a laptop—it's around 5 amps total, which is safe on a standard 15-amp circuit. I wouldn’t recommend a high-draw surge protector, though; a regular 10-amp one would likely suffice better.
Have you thought about getting an estimate for replacing the knob and tube? That might help you plan ahead better!
Yes, I got an estimate of around $12,500 but we're comparing quotes from other companies.
Thanks for the tips! I honestly don't know much about electrical setups, so I just thought a heavy-duty power strip would be the safest bet.