Introduction
Having a fast, reliable internet connection is crucial in today's digital world. However, if your home's electrical wiring is outdated, it can bottleneck your internet speeds. Rewiring your outlets and electrical system for modern ethernet cables can allow you to get the most out of your high-speed internet plan without having to hire an expensive electrician.
In this comprehensive guide, I'll walk you through the complete process of rewiring your outlets on your own in 7 key steps:
Steps to Rewire Your Outlets for Faster Internet
Step 1: Check Your Internet Speed and Identify Problem Areas
The first step is to check your current internet speeds in different areas of your home to identify which rooms need wiring upgrades. Here's how:
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Run a speed test on your computer connected directly to your router via ethernet cable. This will show your maximum possible speed.
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Now run speed tests over WiFi in problem areas like your office, living room, or bedrooms. Compare to the max wired speed.
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Check speeds at different times of day - some issues emerge during peak usage hours.
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Contact your ISP if your peak wired speeds are much lower than your plan, as that indicates a separate issue.
Once you've identified rooms with poor WiFi speeds, it likely means the outlets need rewiring.
Step 2: Turn Off Power and Remove Old Outlet Covers
Safety first! Before handling any electrical wiring:
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Locate your home's main circuit breaker and turn off power to the rooms you'll be working in.
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Verify power is off by testing outlets with a multimeter or plug-in tester.
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Use a screwdriver to remove all outlet and switch covers in the rooms you're rewiring.
Working with the power off reduces the risk of getting shocked. Take your time and be cautious when removing old covers.
Step 3: Examine the Existing Wiring
Now you can take a look behind the outlets to examine how the existing electrical system is wired:
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Note which outlets are on the same circuit. Trace the wiring between outlets on the same line.
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Check if there is existing unused capacity in the outlets' electrical boxes that wiring can be expanded into.
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Look for electrical issues like frayed, damaged wiring or improper connections which should be fixed.
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Verify that the wire gauge (thickness) is sufficient to handle ethernet. #14 or #12 AWG THHN wires are ideal.
Understanding how the current wiring works will help plan your new layout.
Step 4: Map Out Your New Wiring Plan
Based on the previous inspection, map out a plan for running new ethernet lines to each outlet:
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Mark locations where you will install new ethernet wall plates with RJ45 jacks for devices.
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Plan pathways to connect all outlets on a circuit in a "daisy chain" pattern back to your router.
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Determine if you have enough capacity in the electrical boxes or need new, larger ones.
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Note good access points between floors and rooms to fish wiring through walls and ceilings.
Having a solid wiring plan is crucial before you start running new cables. Sketch it out!
Step 5: Fish and Install New Ethernet Lines
Now comes the fun part - running the new wiring to your outlets:
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Use fish tape to thread new ethernet cables through walls and ceilings to each outlet. Consider wearing gloves to protect your hands.
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Keep cables loosely coiled in wall boxes to prevent signal issues from tight bends.
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Label cables clearly at both ends for organization. Leave 2-3 feet of slack at the outlets.
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Install new wall plates with RJ45 jacks once wiring is pulled. Test cables between jacks.
Take it slowly and be patient when fishing cables to avoid frustration. Having an extra set of hands can help!
Step 6: Connect the Outlets to Your Router
It's time to link up your new ethernet runs:
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At your router location, use RJ45 couplers to connect outlet cables in "daisy chain" fashion.
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Consider getting a network switch if you run out of router LAN ports.
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Use ethernet patch cables to link your router to the switch, and the switch to outlet line 1.
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Connect all your runs tip-to-tail back to the switch to complete the circuit.
Proper connections at the router and switch will ensure all your new outlets are linked up.
Step 7: Restore Power, Test Speeds, and Finish Up
You're in the home stretch! Follow these final steps to complete your project:
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Turn the power back on at your main circuit breaker once all wiring is complete.
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At each outlet, plug in devices and retest your internet speeds, both wired and WiFi.
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Replace all outlet and switch covers and confirm devices work properly.
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Coil up and secure any excess wiring. Double check connections.
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Consider labeling your new ethernet outlets for easy identification.
When you see those faster speeds, it will be worth all your hard work! Tidy up your workspace and enjoy.
Wrapping Up
Rewiring your home's electrical outlets to support modern ethernet wiring is a involved but rewarding project you can totally take on without professional help. By taking the proper safety precautions, planning your approach, and diligently running all new wiring, you can unlock much faster speeds throughout your house. Just follow the step-by-step guide outlined above.
With your improved wired network infrastructure in place, you can better support multiple devices, reduce WiFi dead zones, and get the most out of your high-speed internet plan. No more frustrating lag times! Tackle your outlet rewiring project this weekend and enjoy the benefits of a faster, more reliable home network.