What is the difference between a power strip and a whole house surge protector?

A surge-protected power strip only protects devices plugged into it. A whole house surge protector is installed at the main electrical panel and protects every circuit simultaneously including HVAC, hardwired appliances, and EV chargers. Both have a role - the panel device handles large events, the strip handles daily small surges on sensitive electronics.

Where do most power surges come from in Arlington TX homes?

About 80 percent of power surge damage comes from internal surges generated by large appliances cycling inside the home - HVAC compressors, refrigerators, EV chargers. The remaining 20 percent comes from external sources like lightning and Oncor utility switching surges. A panel-mounted whole house surge protector handles both.

How do I know if my whole house surge protector is still working?

Check the indicator LED on the device. Green or 'Protected' means the device has remaining capacity. Red or no light means it was depleted by a surge and is no longer protecting your home. Check this light once a year. Call Bolt Electric at (817) 754-5700 if you need help locating it.

What joule rating do I need for a whole house surge protector in Arlington TX?

Minimum 1,000 joules for basic protection. 2,000 to 3,000 joules for most Arlington TX homes. 3,000+ joules for homes with EV chargers, home automation, or significant electronics. Higher joule ratings mean more surge absorption capacity before the device is sacrificed.

Should I install surge protection when I upgrade my electrical panel in Arlington TX?

Yes. A panel upgrade is the most efficient time to add surge protection - the panel is already open. Bolt Electric includes the surge protection option in every panel upgrade quote. It adds minimal time to the job.

Knob and Tube Wiring Replacement Arlington TX | Insurance

Knob and Tube Wiring Replacement in Arlington TX

Your home inspector wrote "active knob and tube wiring present" on the report. The insurance company will not write a new policy on a home with active knob and tube wiring. Or you moved into an older Arlington TX home and want to know what to do about the fabric-wrapped wires visible in the attic.

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Bolt Electric handles knob and tube wiring replacement throughout Arlington TX. Assessment, documentation, and full replacement. Call (817) 754-5700.

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Knob and tube wiring replacement in Arlington TX. Insurance documentation and full replacement available.

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Plain Language Explainer

What Is Knob and Tube Wiring?

Knob and tube wiring was the standard electrical installation method in homes built before the late 1940s. It uses ceramic knobs to hold wires along framing members and ceramic tubes where wires pass through joists. The insulation is cotton or rubber cloth — not the modern PVC insulation on current wiring.

Two key problems with knob and tube wiring in 2025:

›No ground wire — knob and tube is a two-wire system with no equipment ground. Modern electronics and appliances expect a three-wire grounded circuit for protection and safe operation.
›Cloth insulation degrades — after 70 or more years, the cloth insulation dries out, cracks, and in some areas falls away entirely, leaving bare conductor exposed inside the wall.

Knob and tube wiring that has been covered by attic insulation is a specific hazard. Original knob and tube was designed to dissipate heat through open air. Covering it with blown insulation traps that heat and creates a fire risk that the wiring was never designed to handle.

Insurance Issues

Knob and Tube Wiring and Insurance in Arlington TX

Most Texas homeowner insurance companies will not write a new policy or renew an existing one on a home with active knob and tube wiring. If you received a letter or a non-renewal notice citing knob and tube, you have two options:

›Partial replacement — address the active knob and tube circuits while leaving any that have already been replaced or are inactive
›Full replacement — replace all knob and tube wiring throughout the home with modern copper wiring

We assess which circuits are active knob and tube, which have already been updated, and give you both options with firm prices before you decide.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

No. Knob and tube wiring is not illegal in existing homes in Texas. However, it cannot be extended or added to, and most insurance companies will not write coverage on homes with active knob and tube wiring. The practical reality is that if you want to sell or insure an older Arlington TX home with active knob and tube, you will need to address it.

Partial replacement of specific circuits runs $1,500 to $5,000 depending on the number of circuits and accessibility. Full replacement throughout the home runs $8,000 to $20,000 and is essentially a whole house rewiring project. We give you a firm price after the assessment.

Yes. Knob and tube wiring was designed to dissipate heat through open air. When attic insulation covers it, that heat has nowhere to go. This is a documented fire risk and one of the most common reasons insurance companies flag knob and tube as an immediate concern. Do not add more insulation to an attic with active knob and tube. Call us to assess the situation.

Knob and Tube Wiring Replacement in Arlington TX

Partial replacement or full replacement — both options with firm prices after assessment. Insurance documentation provided. Licensed, permitted, and inspected.

Also see our whole house rewiring services in Arlington TX.

(817) 754-5700

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