How to Wire GFCI With Knob & Tube

Knob and tube wiring was the first residential wiring system used prior to 1950. It uses two wires to create each branch circuit. The black hot wire sends the electricity to the device, and the white neutral wire provides the path back to the source. Since this type of wiring lacks a safety ground connection, homeowners install GFCI outlets to provide some level of safety. A GCFI monitors the two wires for an imbalance in the current. When it senses that power has been lost in the system, it turns off the power immediately.

Non-contact voltage detector
Wire strippers
Screwdriver

Instructions

- 1
  Turn off the power for the circuit you are working on at the distribution panel. This requires unscrewing the fuse at the home's electrical distribution panel.
- 2
  Touch the non-contact voltage detector to the wire's insulation. If the detector beeps or illuminates, there is still electricity in the wires.
- 3
  Strip 3/8 inches of insulation off the black and white wires with wire strippers.
- 4
  Loosen the silver neutral and brass hot terminals on the GFCI outlet with a screwdriver.
- 5
  Wrap the white wire around the silver terminal and tighten it down.
- 6
  Wrap the black wire around the brass terminal and tighten it down.

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