Introduction
Rewiring a home can be an intimidating task, but with proper research and preparation it can potentially be done safely without hiring an electrician. However, this is not recommended for the average homeowner. Working with electricity is extremely dangerous and can result in electrocution, fires, and other hazards if not done properly. This article will provide an overview of what's involved in a home rewiring project, but does not constitute professional electrical advice or a complete guide. If you choose to take on a major electrical project yourself, please exercise extreme caution.
The Dangers of Home Electrical Work
Before deciding to rewire your home, it's important to understand the risks. Electrocution is an obvious hazard, but electrical fires and damaged wiring that could cause a fire later are also major concerns. According to the National Fire Protection Association, electrical failures or malfunctions cause over 40,000 home fires in the U.S. every year.
Shock and electrocution can occur by:
- Touching exposed wires or terminals
- Working on circuits that are improperly shut off
- Inadequate wiring that overheats
Fire risks include:
- Overloaded circuits
- Improper wire gauge for a circuit's amperage
- Faulty connections, splices, or insulation
In most municipalities, homeowners are permitted to do minor electrical repairs. However, major rewiring projects require permits and inspections. Work that does not meet code can affect your homeowner's insurance.
Evaluating Your Electrical System
Before beginning any electrical project, you'll need to thoroughly examine your existing wiring and electrical panel to understand what needs to be done. Look for:
- Two-prong ungrounded outlets that need upgrading
- Small gauge wire that doesn't meet circuit load demands
- Double-tapped breakers or lack of arc-fault and ground-fault interrupters
- Insufficient circuits and breaker capacity for large appliances like HVAC
Taking inventory of your electrical usage and needs will help you plan appropriate rewiring and upgrades.
Necessary Skills and Knowledge
While handling electrical work yourself can save money on professional electrician fees, you'll need to possess or learn specific skills. This includes:
- Understanding national and local electrical codes
- Working knowledge of voltage, amperage, wattage calculations
- Identifying wire gauges needed for various circuits
- Using tools like cable strippers, voltage testers, terminal crimpers
- Techniques for making proper wire connections and splices
- Installing various electrical fixtures, switches, and outlets
- Reading wiring diagrams
If you lack confidence in any electrical task, stop immediately and call an electrician. Don't risk injury or creating fire hazards.
Safety Gear Needed
Rewiring a house involves working inside walls, crawlspaces, attics, and other tight spaces. The right safety gear can prevent electric shocks, burns, and lung irritation.
- Insulated gloves rated for electrical work
- Safety glasses/goggles to protect eyes from debris
- Dust mask or respirator
- Hard hat for overhead work
- Knee pads for crawling in cramped areas
- Good work lighting for interior spaces
Also turn off power at the main breaker panel and verify it's off before working on any circuits.
Develop an Electrical Plan
Carefully planning the wiring upgrades will make the project go smoother.
- List all circuits, fixtures, and devices
- Note new outlets and circuits needed
- Select appropriate wire gauge for each circuit
- Determine new breaker capacity and quantities
- Draw diagrams of the existing and planned new wiring
Submit your plans to the local building department for required permits and inspections.
Rewiring Step-by-Step
The general process for a full home rewire is:
- Turn off main breaker and verify power is off to ALL circuits
- Remove existing switches, outlets, fixtures, etc.
- Run new wires through walls and ceilings to each location
- Install new outlets, switches, breaker panel
- Connect wiring to fixtures and devices
- Label all circuits clearly in the breaker panel
- Have final inspections done before re-energizing
At each step, perform work carefully and methodically. Rushing increases the chance of mistakes.
Be prepared for this project to take many weeks or longer based on the home's size and scope of upgrades required.
Warning Signs of Electrical Problems
During and after the rewiring, watch for any of these issues:
- Burning smell from outlets or wiring
- Discolored or warm outlets or switches
- Circuits repeatedly tripping - could indicate overload
- Flickering lights - may signal loose wiring
- Buzzing from electrical panels or motors
If you observe any of these, turn off the power and call an electrician immediately. Leaving electrical problems unattended risks fire or shock.
When to Call an Electrician
While a major rewiring project can be DIY-friendly, some tasks are best left to licensed professionals:
- Upgrading main service entry and electrical meter
- Installing new service panel or generator transfer switch
- Running wiring through finished walls and ceilings
- Meeting inspection requirements
- Diagnosing tricky electrical problems
Don't take chances with complex or hazardous electrical work. Hire a pro electrician for large jobs or those requiring special expertise.
In Conclusion
Rewiring a home without professional help can certainly be done, but involves major risks. If you decide to take this on yourself, get all necessary permits, use extreme caution, and don't hesitate to call an electrician when needed. Your safety is most important.