How To Rewire Your 100 Year Old Home Without Burning it Down

Introduction

Rewiring a 100 year old home can be daunting, but with proper planning and safety precautions it can be done safely. As the owner of a century home myself, I have learned firsthand how to navigate this project. In this article, I will share my experience and advice for updating the wiring in an old house without accidents or injuries.

Assess the Existing Electrical System

Before beginning any rewiring project, it's important to understand what you're working with. Here are some key steps:

Inventory all visible wiring and components

Identify potential hazards or code violations

Consider hiring an electrician for an assessment

Create a Rewiring Plan

With all the information gathered from assessing your existing system, you can now develop a plan for the rewiring project.

Prioritize fixes for hazards and code violations

Decide how much you want to DIY vs hire out

Develop a phased approach

Apply for required permits

Take Safety Precautions

Any electrical project comes with risks, so following safety best practices is crucial when rewiring an old home yourself.

Turn off power at the main panel

Wear personal protective equipment

Don't work alone

Allow no exceptions on safety rules

Install New Wiring and Components

Finally, once your plan is in place and safeties ready, it's time to execute the rewiring itself.

Run new wires through walls and conduits

Replace fuse and breaker boxes

Update receptacles, switches and fixtures

Connect new wires to existing where possible

Label everything clearly

Have Work Inspected Prior to Re-Energizing

Before turning power back on:

Rewiring a century home takes time and diligence. But taking a careful, phased approach and upholding safety makes it very achievable without disaster. Follow the steps outlined above, and you can give your old house a modern, reliable electrical system for decades to come.