Rewiring electrical outlets and switches in your home can be a daunting task if you have no prior electrical experience. However, with the right preparation and safety precautions, it is possible for a beginner to successfully rewire their outlets and switches. In this comprehensive guide, I will walk you through the complete process step-by-step.

Understanding Electrical Basics

Before attempting any electrical work, it is crucial to understand some basic electrical principles and terminology. This will allow you to work safely and ensure your new wiring adheres to electrical code.

Key Electrical Terms

• Voltage - The force that pushes electrical current, measured in volts. Most household circuits are 120 volts.
• Current - The flow of electricity through a conductor like a wire, measured in amps.
• Circuit - A closed loop that electricity can flow through from the power source and back.
• Ground - A safety conductor that carries current in the event of a fault to prevent shock.

How Household Wiring Works

• Electricity comes from the utility power lines outside your home.
• It enters through the electrical service panel, which contains circuit breakers that protect each circuit.
• From there, it branches out through the wiring to each receptacle, switch, and electrical device.
• Most homes have 120 volt, 15 to 20 amp circuits. Higher voltage circuits may exist for large appliances like stoves or dryers.
• Neutral wires complete the circuit back to the panel.
• Ground wires protect from shocks and divert current in case of a short circuit.

Electrical Safety Tips

• Never work on live circuits - always turn off power at the main breaker panel.
• Test wires with a non-contact voltage tester to confirm power is off.
• Avoid working alone so someone can call for help if needed.
• Wear personal protective equipment like gloves and eye protection.
• Use insulated tools designed for electrical work.
• Take precautions against shocks and falls when using a ladder.
• Double-check all connections are tight and correct before restoring power.

Gathering the Right Rewiring Supplies

I made sure to have all the necessary materials on hand before starting any rewiring work. Having the right supplies makes the process faster and safer.

Wiring and Electrical Boxes

• NM-B Wire - 14/2 or 12/2 gauge common household wiring.
• Wire strippers - For cutting insulation off wire ends.
• Wire nuts - For connecting wires together.
• Electrical boxes - New plastic or metal boxes for outlets and switches.
• Clamps - For securing cables to boxes.

Tools

• Voltage tester - To confirm electricity is off.
• Screwdrivers - Insulated types are safer for electrical work.
• Hammer and keyhole saw - For cutting into walls if needed.
• Drywall saw - For cutting outlet and switch holes.
• Fish tape - For running new wiring through walls.
• Cable stapler - To tack wiring up inside walls.

Safety Gear

• Safety glasses and gloves - Protect your eyes and hands.
• Dust mask - Avoid breathing drywall dust.
• Ladder - Use a sturdy wooden or fiberglass ladder.

Turning Off Power at the Service Panel

I checked my service panel and familiarized myself with the location of the main breaker and any breakers controlling the circuits I needed to rewire. I then took the following important safety steps:

• Shut off main breaker - This disconnects power from the whole house.
• Remove panel cover - Gives access to all breakers.
• Flip off individual breakers - Cuts power to specific circuits I'll be working on.
• Test wires with voltage tester - Confirms power is completely off.
• Leave panel cover off - Allows quick access to breakers during work.

With the power securely disconnected, I was ready to move on to removing the old outlets and switches.

Removing Old Outlets and Switches

To start fresh with new wiring and boxes, I first needed to remove the existing outlets, switches, and wiring. Here is the systematic process I followed:

Materials Needed

• Screwdriver
• Voltage tester
• Wire cutters
• Claw hammer

Steps

• Unscrew and remove outlet/switch cover plates using screwdriver.
• Carefully pull outlet/switch out from box slightly.
• Test wires again with voltage tester to confirm power is off.
• Note wire connections for reinstallation reference.
• Unscrew wires from outlet/switch and disconnect.
• Carefully pull outlet/switch fully out of electrical box.
• Loosen box screws holding it to studs and remove box.
• If necessary, use claw hammer to pull old nails or pry box off.
• Cut back and remove any unused wiring.

Following these steps, I was able to completely remove the old electrical infrastructure without incident.

Installing New Electrical Boxes

With the old components cleared out, the next stage was installing new plastic or metal electrical boxes for the outlets and switches.

Box Location Tips

• Position outlet boxes 12-18 inches above floor level.
• Install switch boxes 48-52 inches from floor level.
• Avoid exterior house walls without insulation - may require special boxes.
• Line up boxes properly with joists/studs to secure them.

Installation Process

• Select proper size box for number of wires.
• Hold box against stud in desired location.
• Trace outline of box with pencil.
• Use drywall saw to cut opening for box.
• Insert box and tighten mounting screws to stud.
• Make sure box is flush with wall surface.
• Use cable clamps to secure wiring into box.

Taking precise box measurements ensured a professional looking end result.

Running and Connecting New Wiring

Once the boxes were in place, I moved on to the key step of running new NM-B wiring to connect the outlets and switches.

Measuring and Cutting Wire

• Measure distance between boxes.
• Add 6-12 extra inches for slack within boxes.
• Use wire stripper to cleanly cut wiring.

Running Wire Through Walls

• Fish tape helps guide wires through cavities.
• Staple cables loosely to studs using cable stapler.
• Try to run wires along straight paths between boxes.
• Avoid laying wires across sharp stud edges.

Connecting Wires

• Use wire nuts to join wires securely.
• Observe proper polarity - match like colors.
• Ground wire connects to green screw or terminal.
• Neutral wires join together with pigtails to outlets/switches.
• Hot wires link to output terminals and feed power.

Testing Connections

• Tug wires to ensure solid connections.
• Check for loose wire nuts or stray wire strands.
• Verify neutral and ground paths are complete.

Thoroughly checking all wiring ensured optimal safety and performance.

Installing New Outlets and Switches

After running and connecting the new wiring, it was time to install the replacement outlets and switches. I took care to observe a few best practices here:

Securing the Components

• Feed wires fully into electrical boxes.
• Screw outlets/switches firmly to box.
• Leave a little slack in wire behind device.
• Keep wires neatly bundled and trimmed.

Matching Old Configuration

• Note old outlet/switch layout and match new installation.
• Properly reconnect GFCIs, 3-way switches, etc.
• Maintain ground connections.

Testing Devices

• Restore power and test outlet/switch function.
• Verify proper polarity and grounding with tester.
• Confirm nearby outlets now have power as expected.

Finishing Touches

• Mount cover plates and screws.
• Label circuits clearly at panel for future reference.

Carefully following electrical codes ensured my new outlets and switches were safe and operational.

Helpful Rewiring Tips and Tricks

Based on my experience, here are a few helpful tips for a successful outlet and switch rewiring project:

• Work slowly and methodically to avoid costly mistakes.
• Take photos before removing old wiring for reference.
• Label all wires while disconnected to avoid confusion.
• Check existing wiring for problems like damaged coatings.
• Pull cables, don't push, when running wires in walls.
• Keep pliers, screwdriver, wire cutters on hand for quick access.
• Wear headlamp or set up task lighting in work area.
• Be extra diligent with grounding, polarity, and connections.
• Replace aging electrical boxes - don't reuse old ones.
• Upgrade to tamper resistant outlets if you have small children.

Final Checks for Power Restoration

I took my time verifying everything before turning power back on after completing the rewiring. This included:

• Tightening all wire nuts and terminal screws.
• Confirming insulation does not contact current-carrying parts.
• Making sure no stray wire strands are exposed.
• Returning all ground connections properly.
• Securing all outlets and switches firmly in boxes.
• Putting all protective covers and plates back on.
• Double checking polarity of all receptacles.
• Making sure circuit labeling at the panel is accurate.

Only after completing all these checks did I restore power and test operation of the outlets and switches.

In Summary

While rewiring outlets and switches is challenging for an amateur, it can be successfully accomplished with proper planning and safety steps. The key is understanding basic electrical principles, shutting off all power, gathering the right tools and supplies, systematically removing and replacing the old wiring and boxes, carefully running and connecting new wires, installing new outlets and switches securely, and double checking all work before turning electricity back on. Taking my time and adhering to building codes ensured I was able to rewire my home's outlets and switches without any electrical experience.