Electric truth, or misperception?

[Jim Bow]

We just lightened our bank account by having all our 1920s knob&tube wiring replaced. With K&T running through the attic we couldn’t insulate. A former owner had the breaker box installed, and anything reachable through the open basement ceiling was replaced, however we had several of the old outlets still hot. There were two odd keyhole shaped plates in two rooms. They were painted with several coats through the years. The electrician said they were old 220v heater outlets for 1920s electric heaters. A few minutes later he came up to announce that one of them was still hot!

Anyhow, all our ceiling lights seem brighter. They all got LEDs a while ago, so it’s not a bulb change. Are the new electrons bigger or faster than the old ones? Less resistance?

[mizzenman]

Possibly you removed a bit of ressistace which was reducing the voltage at your LEDs. Are they dimmable LEDs or not?

[the_gr8t_waldo]

more than likely a poorly made electrical connection was moved and optium contact/connection
was re-established.

[Breakaway]

Move that old electric heater circuit to your driveway for an EV charger,


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[ShorelineJohn]

If those lights fixtures were rewired then maybe, especially if some were dimmer than others, if not it would be doubtful, but still remotely possible. But either way you should be able to sleep better at night.

[Chip-skiff]

Did you have antique wiring with the woven fabric cover?

Golly!

[hawkeye54]

^ Chip, back at the 'turn of the century' , my wife and I bought a circa 1853 building in a small Minnesota town to house our flower / candy / gift shop. Among other eccentricities, it had K & T wiring in the basement, which consisted of 12 fixtures, each made of : a paint can lid as 'insulator' to keep sparks away from the old wood joists, a light bulb socket plate, 5 socket extenders ( stacked ) screwed into the plate, and a bare 60 watt bulb. Any time the basement door was opened or closed, all the lights would flash on and off. It was a priority item to replace all that wiring.

Rick

[Jim Bow]

Did you have antique wiring with the woven fabric cover?

Golly!

Fabric covered 14 gauge copper wire. There were a couple of junctions where a branch circuit was attached. The wires were twisted together and soldered with a torch. The rafter had a big scorch mark.