How to Inexpensively Re-Wire Your Home With 14 Gauge Romex

Introduction

Re-wiring a home can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn't have to be expensive or complicated. With some planning and basic electrical skills, you can re-wire most of your home's lighting and receptacle circuits using inexpensive 14 gauge Romex wire. Here is a step-by-step guide on how I was able to re-wire my home with 14 gauge Romex in a cost-effective way.

Safety Precautions

Before beginning any electrical project, safety should always be your top priority. Here are some important safety tips when working with electrical wiring:

• Turn off the main breaker - This will cut power to the entire house and prevent electrocution hazards.

• Test wires before working - Verify power is off using a non-contact voltage tester.

• Wear personal protective equipment - This includes safety goggles, gloves, long sleeves and pants.

• Only work on de-energized circuits - Do not handle live wires.

• Have an exit plan - Know your way out in case of an emergency.

• Inspect all work when complete - Double check that all connections are tight and insulated before restoring power.

Choosing the Right Wire Gauge

14 gauge Romex wire is ideal for most standard 15 and 20 amp household circuits. Here are some tips on selecting the proper wire size:

• 14 gauge - Suitable for 15 amp bedroom and kitchen circuits. Handles up to 15A.

• 12 gauge - For 20 amp circuits like kitchen countertops and laundry rooms. Good for up to 20A.

• 10 gauge - For high demand 30 amp circuits like electric dryers and stoves. Handles up to 30A.

• 6 gauge - For large 50 amp+ circuits like central AC units. Suitable for up to 55A.

The lower the wire gauge number, the thicker the wire size. 14 gauge offers capacity for typical lighting and outlet circuits.

Gathering the Right Materials

For a full re-wiring project, you'll need:

• 14/2 and 14/3 Romex wire - Use 14/2 for standard circuits and 14/3 when you need an extra wire for a switch.

• Wire strippers - Self-adjusting strippers make quick work of stripping Romex insulation.

• Voltage tester - Essential for verifying power is off before handling any wires.

• Junction boxes - For housing wire connections and splices.

• Wall anchors - Plastic anchors to affix boxes and conduit to walls/studs.

• Wire nuts - To join and insulate multiple wire connections.

• Conduit - Protects wiring running through unfinished areas like attics and basements.

Removing Old Wiring

Before new wiring can be installed, I needed to remove the existing old wiring from my home. Here were the steps:

• Turn off main breaker then verify power is off at the outlet I'm starting with.

• Carefully pull outlet from box then disconnect and remove the electrical wires.

• Follow each wire run through the house back towards the breaker box, detaching wire from fixtures/outlets.

• Coil up each wire run and label which circuit it's from to simplify reconnecting later.

• Vacuum dust and debris from old boxes and conduits before re-wiring.

Be methodical and only work on de-energized circuits for safety.

Running New Wiring through Walls

I was able to fish most of my new Romex through existing drywall without having to tear up walls. Here's how:

• Measure each wire run and cut Romex to proper length using wire strippers. Leave 6-12 extra inches on each end.

• Attach a stiff wire fishing tape to one end and feed through walls/ceilings from box to box.

• Once tape is through, connect Romex to tape end and carefully pull new wire back through.

• Staple cable to studs every 4.5-6 ft per code for support and to prevent sagging.

For more intricate routes, I drilled small holes through framing to thread wire through. Take it slow and be gentle when pulling Romex to avoid snags.

Splicing and Connecting New Wires

After running Romex, I needed to splice into fixtures and devices:

• Strip 2-3" of outer insulation from Romex using wire strippers.

• Strip 5/8" of insulation from inner conductors.

• Open junction box, insert wires, then secure cables with cable clamps.

• Use wire nuts to connect hot, neutral and ground wires properly.

• Neatly tuck wires into box and reinstall device or fixture.

Follow basic color coding - white for neutral, black for hot and bare copper for ground. Keep splices tidy inside boxes.

Wrapping Up the Job

Once all new Romex is installed and connected, there are a few final steps:

• Thoroughly inspect all work and wire connections before re-energizing.

• Replace any open junction boxes with secure, covered boxes.

• Properly terminate any unused wires and leave extra length coiled in boxes.

• Ensure all circuits function properly by systematically turning breakers back on.

• Affix cover plates to boxes and conduits to protect wiring from damage.

• Label new circuits clearly in the breaker box.

Take the extra time to double check all your work - it's essential for safety and your peace of mind!

Conclusion

While it took careful planning and patience, I was able to completely re-wire my home with 14 gauge Romex wire. By following basic safety precautions, using the right materials, and taking it step-by-step, the project was very manageable even for a beginner DIYer. The result was a safer, more modern electrical system that should serve my home for years to come.