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:

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:

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:

Removing Old Wiring

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

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:

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:

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:

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.