How to Rewire Your Home Without an Electrician (And Not Get Electrocuted)

Introduction

Rewiring your home can seem like a daunting task, but with the right preparation and safety precautions, it's completely doable without professional help. As someone who has successfully rewired parts of my home, I'll walk you through the process step-by-step, focusing on safety and proper techniques so you can update your home's wiring with confidence.

Reasons For Rewiring

Before diving in, let's review the main reasons you may want to rewire:

Upgrading Outdated Wiring

If your home still has knob and tube wiring or aluminum wiring, rewiring with modern copper wiring greatly reduces fire risks. Upgrading old wiring also allows you to install grounded outlets and modern electrical devices.

Expanding Circuits

Rewiring lets you add more circuits to prevent overloading. This allows you to add more outlets and electronic devices without blowing fuses.

Lighting Improvements

Rewiring allows new lighting circuits so you can add recessed lighting, under-cabinet lighting, motion sensors, and more.

Increasing Home Value

Updated electrical improves home value. Buyers feel more confident with modern wiring.

Dangers of Working With Electricity

Before handling any wires, I take precautions to avoid electrocution and shock risks:

• Turn off power at the main circuit breaker panel. Verify it's off by turning on a light or device in the work area.

• Test wires with a non-contact voltage tester before touching.

• Wear rubber-soled shoes and gloves to avoid shock.

• Never work on live wires. De-energize wires by disconnecting the circuit at the breaker panel.

• Beware of touching multiple wires at once, which can cause serious shock.

• Check that all wiring is properly grounded. This gives electricity a safe path to flow if there’s a fault.

• Keep the area around panels and electrical boxes clear for safe access.

Gather the Right Rewiring Supplies

I assemble all needed supplies before starting:

• Wire stripper - For removing plastic coating from wires

• Voltage tester - To double check power is off

• Needle-nose pliers - For twisting and cutting wires

• Wire nuts - For connecting wires together

• Electrical tape - For insulating wires

• Cable staples - For securing new wiring

• Wire hanger - For fishing wires through walls

• Electrical boxes - For installing new outlets and switches

• Copper wiring - Use the right gauge for the circuit amperage

• Conduit - Protective piping for exposed wiring runs

Planning the New Wiring Layout

Good planning ensures the new wiring runs efficiently through the home:

• Draw up a wiring diagram mapping out new wire routes and circuits.

• Plan where any new outlets, switches and lights will be located.

• Determine if you'll need new wiring boxes or conduit installations.

• Calculate the wire capacity needed for each circuit.

• Plan safe access points for running wire through walls and ceilings.

Running and Securing New Wiring

When running new wiring, I take care to do it neatly and safely:

• Carefully measure and cut wires to proper lengths using wire strippers. Leave extra length for adjustments.

• Anchor wires at least every 4.5 ft with cable staples or hangers. Don't let live wires dangle loosely.

• Use conduit to surface mount wires for exposed areas like basements or garages.

• Drill holes through studs at the center to avoid hitting pipes or wires. Watch for plumbing lines!

• Fish wires through walls safely using wire running tools. Don't puncture insulation.

• Avoid placing wires near potential sources of damage like nails or screws.

Connecting and Terminating New Wires

I use the following best practices when connecting new wires:

• Carefully strip about 1/2 inch of insulation from wire ends using stripping tool. Avoid nicking copper.

• Neatly twist stripped ends together with pliers before securing with a wire nut.

• Wrap connections with electrical tape for additional insulation.

• Make sure junction boxes are large enough to comfortably fit bundled wires. Never overfill.

• Use wire nuts and terminal screws properly sized for the gauge of the wires. Proper contact is critical.

• Securely anchor cables to electrical boxes using cable clamps. This prevents strain on connections.

• Label wire ends clearly to identify circuits using tape and a permanent marker.

Testing and Troubleshooting Wiring

I take the following steps to test and troubleshoot newly installed wiring:

• Check for loose connections by gently tugging wires. Redo any loose connections.

• Inspect for exposed copper or damaged insulation and fix as needed with tape or heat shrink tubing.

• Use a multimeter to check for proper continuity between connected wires.

• Verify grounds are connected and test ground continuity.

• Inspect polarity of outlets and switches to make sure hot and neutral are not reversed.

• Test GFCI outlets to confirm proper function. Press test button and reset.

• Check for hot spots at junction points using an infrared thermometer. High heat can indicate problems.

• Power up the new circuit at the breaker panel and test outlets, lights and switches.

Final Safety Checks Before Powering Up

Before turning circuits back on, I always double check:

• No exposed wire connections. Everything should be properly secured in electrical boxes.

• Wires have no tension or pulling at connections. Wall anchors prevent tugging.

• Wires are neatly routed away from any sharp edges or moving parts.

• All junction box covers and switch plates are securely installed.

• No tools, ladders, or conductive debris left behind in work areas.

• Circuit breakers at panel are in off position before re-energizing one at a time.

• GFCI outlets function properly when tested.

Taking these precautions ensures your home's new wiring will provide safe, reliable power for years to come! Let me know if you have any other home electrical questions.