In my own experience the cloth cord was used because it was a superior product for heat producing appliances such as toaster irons etc.
When were cloth electrical cords used.
Cloth covered wiring in residential buildings usually dates from the first half of the 20th century.
In the 1930s a quicker installation method was developed.
Nonmetallic sheathed cable was born which incorporated a rubberized fabric coating sheath much like knob and tube wiring but here the hot and neutral wire were run together in this one sheathing.
Aluminum electrical wiring types click to enlarge any image.
It was 1 of 2 popular methods of residential wiring in its time.
The plugs and switches are also specially designed specifically to work with these cords in the rewiring of all types of lamps.
Cord plugs and switches for electric lighting 1900 1940 s these rayon covered cords are the safe and modern versions of the old silk wrapped cord.
Since it wasn t at all a mandatory thing the changeover is spread out over many years.
The old style ballast and its wire could have dated from the 1950 s.
Some companies switched as soon as neoprene became available.
You can also find some original rubber cordage from the very late 20 s.
It was standard insulation at the time and managed to keep homes electrical currents running for many years.
Others continued to use cloth cord throughout the 30 s.
Aaron s ettco wire looks like a paint coated asphalt impregnated fabric sheathed electrical wire widely used from about 1949 1975.
In researching etcoflex use of asbestos in wire insulation i have not found confirmation that asbestos was used.
The other basic electrical wiring system of this era was a bare electrical house wiring system commonly known as knob and tube.
The braided fabric wire insulation was found on a 1960 s fluorescent light ballast while the plastic wire was used in the branch circuit wiring for the light where that ballast was employed.