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Electrical · Sourced answer

What is the difference between aluminum wiring, knob-and-tube, and modern Romex?

Homebuyers and older-home owners ask about insurance eligibility, fire risks, and remediation methods.

The answer

Knob-and-Tube (pre-1940s): ungrounded, cloth insulation, fire risk when covered by thermal insulation. Single-strand Aluminum (1965-1975): thermal expansion loosening, oxidation, galvanic corrosion (CPSC: 55x more likely to reach fire-hazard conditions; fix with copper pigtailing/AlumiConn/COPALUM). Romex NM-B (modern): PVC-sheathed copper hot, neutral, and bare ground rated 90°C.

Sources

This answer is drawn from the standards and guidance below. It is general information about how these systems work — not a diagnosis of your property.

  1. US CPSC Repairing Aluminum Wiring Pub 516
  2. ESFI Fire Wire