knob and tube, wiring for home automation

hey fellas trying to figure out, how to wire my home automation, I have knob and tube wiring, trying to figure out my knob and tube setup, when I test the wires at the switch, when its on there is no voltage detected, but when I switch is off I can read voltage in one wire. I guess that would be the line , and the other is the neutral. So I guess they tied in the load in the wall somewhere?


How are you measuring voltage? From what wire to what wire using what type of meter?

Don't assume anything with K&T; you'll find that the neutral wire is switched as often as the hot in lighting circuits. Identifying which wire is which usually requires dragging an extension cord from a known good ground to your testing location and measuring voltage from the unknown wire(s) to the known good cord ground.

circuit problem

i have a circuit which some stuff is working such as bathroom lights and outlets but all lights and outlets in bedrooms are not working which are on the same breaker. it was all working then went out but the breaker was not tripped. any suggestions?


If you have any gfcis in your bathroom check them. This could be the problem ,because they might be wired in incorrectly therefore when they trip they not only cut power to themselves they also cut power to what ever else is down stream from them.

Also it is against code to have your bathroom and bed room on the same circuit.

rotary dimmer switch

I have a custom wall plate that will not allow a standard rotary dimmer switch to activate. The stem bottoms out against the plate before the switch activates. Has anyone ever run into a dimmer with a longer stem, or a solid way to extended it? Client MUST have rotary dimmers.


All I can think of would be to drill a small hole through the knob into the stem and thread in a small finish screw. Is the requirement for rotary dimmers cosmetic or handicap related?